Amid growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, inter-Korean relations have shifted toward a structurally adversarial framework, while the weakening of multilateralism presents new challenges for regional diplomacy. Drawing lessons from Germany’s division and reunification, this session explores how local-level engagement and transnational regional networks may offer alternative pathways for cooperation beyond state-centric approaches. Particular attention will be given to Shenyang, a strategic hub bordering North Korea with significant logistical and informational relevance, and Osaka, home to one of the largest and most influential Korean diaspora communities in Japan. By examining potential collaboration among local governments, civil society actors, and diaspora networks, the session seeks to reassess the prospects for reimagining inter-Korean cooperation under changing geopolitical conditions and to identify practical, multi-layered avenues for sustained dialogue and engagement.