The Trust-building Process on the Korean Peninsula can be seen as a shift in the North Korea policy paradigm. As to the North Korea policies in previous governments, discussions were mainly about policy measures, which included military force, negotiations, sanctions and strategic patience. However, the Trust-building Process emphasizes that it is upon trust where policy measures can have more stable and lasting effect, and inter-Korean relations can develop sustainably. Assertive retaliation against North Korea’s provocations is not aimed at the North Korean political system, but its actions. There are three policy goals: to normalize inter-Korean relations through political and military confidence building, and through socioeconomic exchanges and cooperation; to realize a reliable peace on the Korean Peninsula, and thoroughly prepare for any uncertain political situations; and to establish a cornerstone for unification. Instead of moving too quickly or too slowly like in the past, the Trust-building Process would allow South Korea to deal with inter-Korean relations at a rate constant with the level of trust that is built with North Korea.