A Study of a Peace and Welfare System on the Korean Peninsula by Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Based on Voluntary National Review (VNR) in North Korea

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present, by analyzing North Korea’s Voluntary National Review of the Sustainable Development Goals, directions in which to plan for a Korean Peninsula Peace-Welfare System with which to promote the welfare of North Koreans. The National Development Goals (NDGs) that have to do with North Korea’s social security sector are people’s living standard (SDG 1), agricultural growth (SDG 2), health (SDG 3), decent work (SDG 8), and people’s rights (SDG 10). This study suggests as follows. First, the peace-welfare system must be able to function as a social safety net and a source of income redistribution and increased productivity. Second, inter-Korea exchange should be promoted. The direction of statistical capacity building, social consensus in South Korea, triangular cooperation with international organizations, and positive use of the North Korean system were proposed. This study has implication to examine the ideal orientation of the peace and welfare system on the Korean Peninsula by SDGs in order to promote the welfare of North Koreans. Therefore it is expected to contribute to a future-oriented design of permanent cooperation in peace and welfare between the two Koreas.