The North Korea - US Conflict Resolution Summit: A Social Studies Simulation

The students have been studying conflict resolution and peacebuilding largely using a curriculum developed by the United States Institute of Peace. That work has been supported by their study of current events and our work preparing for Model UN.

Several weeks ago, students completed negotiation preparation sheets, detailing the positions of the parties involved in international conflicts of interest to them. Using their research, new information, and a bit of dramatic flair, I developed a conflict resolution simulation.

Each student was assigned a role:
-Lead Mediator
-Senior Advisor to the Mediator
-US Lead Negotiator/Diplomat
-North Korean Lead Negotiator/Diplomat
-US Businessperson
-North Korean Industry Captain
-Chinese Diplomat
-South Korean Diplomat
-Japanese Diplomat
-North Korean Refugee Leader
-North Korean Liberation Leader

We completed the simulation in each social studies class, so two summits took place.

In the end, we had two very different results, but both summits were able to find resolution:

• In one class, the students used South Korea as a bargaining chip with North Korea to denuclearize North Korea and ensure the safety of all Korean civilians.
• In one class, North Korea presented a conflict resolution package that started a series of negotiations that eventually resulted in the removal of sanctions and economic support in exchange for denuclearization.

The students were thoughtfully engaged in learning throughout the simulation. They developed conflict resolution skills, learned about sanctions and their power on an international stage, learned research skills through the questions they asked and answered in order to develop and refine their positions, and engaged in dramatic play.