A Case Study of Crisis Management: Pre-Negotiation in an Effort to Prevent a Second Korean War – Readiness Theory Perspective

In our paper we present an analysis of the de-escalation process of the crisis between North Korea and the United States (2017-2018). We use a readiness theory perspective to explore the pre-negotiations leading to the parties' decision to pursue a bilateral track of negotiations. We offer some analytical insights that may assist the parties in this intractable conflict in their future relations while helping parties in other interstate intractable conflicts, including third parties, to consider appropriate crisis management strategies. In our study we focus on the factors influencing the parties' decision to negotiate and on the role that third parties played in this process. Furthermore, by focusing on the causal effect of third-party engagement, the mechanisms through which it influences the results of the process, and its interplay with the other variables outlined by readiness theory, we wish to contribute to the refinement of readiness theory.