With the end of the Cold War, we have entered a period of transition in which strategic uncertainty dominates and, consequently, more nations feel less secure than during the Cold War period. We must manage this transitional period by devising and implementing proper measures to stabilize relations between states and to enhance security cooperation. Given the contextual and procedural characteristics of Northeast Asia, structural arms-control measures seem premature, whereas there seems to be much that confidence-building measures can achieve. CBMs can be classified into transparency, constraint, and declaratory measures. While in some cases some form of CBMs has already been introduced, it is very difficult to introduce region-wide land-based CBMs due to the basic geographical attributes of Northeast Asia. There are, however, four areas in which land-based CBMs might be applied: the Korean peninsula, Sino-Russian border, Sino-Vietnamese border, and Russo-Japanese territorial dispute. The Korean peninsula can be the first place to where we can apply land-based CBMs. While the two Koreas have already adopted some form of CBMs, they have failed to implement them. The basic approach for arms control on the Korean peninsula should be an ''incremental and phased'' approach that starts with the adoption of transparency measures with some minor constraint measures, which should be followed by a set of more comprehensive/intrusive transparency measures, some major constraint measures, and verification measures. And proper institutionalization is required at the end of each phase. The first set of CBMs include: exchange of military information; prior notification; demilitarization and conversion of the DMZ into a peace zone; and relocation of offensive weapons. With respect to other areas of concern, the measures to stabilize the Chinese border with neighboring countries are essential for the stability and peace of Northeast Asia. Formalization and further institutionalization of the already taken CBMs between Russia and China are required. China and Vietnam should engage in extensive negotiations for measures to stabilize the situation along their border. Demilitarization of the Northern Territories and implementation of the 1956 Joint Communique between Russia and Japan are necessary. We should utilize CBMs until we can become able to introduce structural arms-control measures. In the meantime, we should abide by certain principles in applying CBMs: increased openness and transparency, verification, notification, bilateral negotiations and cooperation together with multilateral security cooperation, and, most of all, strong political will.
