Abstract This paper examines North Korea’s ontological insecurity following the breakdown of the Hanoi Summit in February 2019, a critical situation that precipitated a significant shift in its foreign policy and military strategy. We argue that the failure of the summit disrupted North Korea’s self-identity and diplomatic routines, leading to an escalation in military provocations, a retreat into self-sufficiency and a redefinition of its position toward South Korea. By employing the framework of ontological security theory, we analyse how North Korea’s foreign policy evolved from a previous routine of limited provocation and negotiations with the United States and South Korea to a more aggressive stance characterised by an accelerated nuclear weapons program and heightened hostility. We also explore the implications of this shift for regional security dynamics and the challenges posed to international diplomacy. Ultimately, we contend that understanding North Korea’s actions through the lens of ontological insecurity reveals deeper motivations beyond traditional security concerns, offering new insights into the complexities of its nuclear ambitions and foreign relations.
Choi et al. (Sun,) studied this question.