North Korea's national identity – appears to derive from postcolonial nationalism. The state is determined to abandon its past as a Japanese colony and its subsequent dependence on the USSR and China. The end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union, its closest ally, left the country practically alone in an increasingly hostile international climate against its communist ideology. The country has since supported a narrative of extreme independence; unity and non-submission to international demands, even when this compromised its economic and diplomatic interests. North Korean politics revolves around promoting the constructed image of a strong, self-reliant nation. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In contrast to the state as the central actor: In constructivism individuals, structures and ideational factors of world politics are the main actors in the international context. “Structures” determine the interaction of different actors in an international system and the conditions for such interaction. Thus providing information on how preferences are formed before actors exercise rationality through actions (Kim, 2000). In the constructivist universe, "the global system is produced by social constructs" and states act dynamically based on a balance between transnational and social norms. The absence of superior global coercive power is therefore an argument in favor of the effect of “norms” on the behavior of states. It is therefore the system of shared knowledge; norms, beliefs and values ​​reproduced through social practices (e.g. diplomacy or warfare) that impact and influence international politics. Constructivism rejects the idea that international policies are homogeneous and discards the tendency to generalize the understanding of interstate relations. By focusing on shared knowledge, practices, and identities, the theory organizes and offers better predictability of state behaviors. Constructivism provides a more real-world approach to analyzing international politics and does not have a single view of international relations. However, the approach is not without weaknesses: it lacks, for example, an explicit theory of agency and fails to explain exactly when and why states should be expected to cooperate. The possibilities of biased interpretations of situations are also high since the approach depends on discourse analysis to support outcome prediction (Lapid, 1989). The following section briefly discusses the current situation of the Korean conflict. Interestingly, both neorealist and constructivist approaches have a role to play in the future of this prolonged regional conflict. The Way Forward: Neorealist or Constructivist The Korean Peninsula is grappling with the challenge of moving beyond the status quo established over the past 70 years. Self-preservation and security remain a conflict of interest in pursuing dialogue. However, in April 2018, a North Korean leader crossed the Korean DMZ for the first time to discuss denuclearization and long-awaited peace with his South Korean counterparts. In January 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reiterated his commitment to denuclearization, but warned that the strategy could change if sanctions against the country are not lifted. On the other hand, South Korean President Moon Jae-In continues to enjoy popular support especially for his peace policy with North Korea. Understanding North Korea's interests and perceptions is critical to reducing tensions in the country.”