IntroductionThe nuclear issue in North Korea has been a widely discussed issue around the world in recent years, while the entire progress since the beginning of the crisis nuclear (North Korea's withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2003) to cooperation (Six Party Talks) and its failure is quite dramatic and worth exploring (Fang, 2009). This article has attempted to use two perspectives, including neorealism and neoliberalism, to examine the issue and examine their explanatory power. Consequently, this article has recognized the importance of the two perspectives in explaining the issue. On the one hand, neorealism showed the restrictions and balanced behaviors of states during the negotiation process, implying the failure of talks. On the other hand, neoliberalism has contributed to clarifying the complexity constituted by the different actors and problems of the issue, while demonstrating the rationality of states, as well as the birth of the institution that shapes international norms. Therefore, the author believes that the two perspectives are not contradictory, but complementary. Analysis framework Neorealism-Structural Realism What neorealism believes is fear and distrust originating from the anarchy of the international system, with the consequent search for power for survival. As stated by Mearsheimer (2010), power is the currency of international politics. The statement addressed a simple but important question: “Why do states want power?” While classical realism always claims “human nature,” neorealists or structural realists like Mearsheimer specify the structure or architecture of the international system that forces states to pursue power. All states desire sufficient power to protect the…middle of paper…issue. In this case, neoliberalism not only helps states make a more rational decision, but also gives rise to the institution that will form the norms for states' resolution of future crises. To conclude, both are important, while they are not contradictory, but complementary. Reference Baldwin, D. A. (1993). Neorealism and neoliberalism. New York: Columbia University PressKeohane, R. O., & Nye, J. S. (2000). Power and interdependence. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.Mearsheimer JJ (2010). Structural realism. International Relations Theories, Discipline and Diversity (Second Edition), p.77-94方玥雯[Fang Yue Wen] (2009). 北韓核武研發與東北亞安全:2002-2007. [North Korea's Nuclear Weapons and Security in Northeast Asia: 2002-2007] in台灣[Taiwan]: 國立政治大學[National Cheungchi University] Retrieved July 18, 2013, from http://nccuir.lib. nccu.edu.tw /handle/140.119/37029