Van Jackson, a former Pentagon insider and a Korean security expert currently teaching at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, has succeeded in writing a highly accessible book that traces the roots of the often-hostile relationship between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) that nearly led to nuclear war in 2017. Jackson's investigation of North Korea's strategic culture is especially illuminating, as it highlights the “I die, you die” approach of the Kim family regime. As Jackson explains, the standoff between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un was a long time in coming, and a Hillary Clinton presidency likely would have encountered similar circumstances in Northeast Asia.
As US policymakers struggle to understand North Korea's rhetoric and actions, Jackson's explanation of Pyongyang's strategic culture offers valuable insights. For example, he highlights the “theory of victory” that undergirds North Korea's behavior abroad. North Korea's resolve...
