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Reinventing inter-Korean relationship

Reinventing inter-Korean relationship

The two Koreas must establish mutual trust by discussing matters with prudence and mutual respect
  • Park Geun-hye President of the 
Republic of Korea | 
Special to Gulf News
  • Published: 20:00 December 30, 2013


  • Image Credit: Luis Vazquez/©Gulf News
On February 12, 2013, North Korea carried out its third nuclear test in the run-up to the inauguration of a new administration — my own — in the South. Around that time, the Presidential Transition Committee adopted the ¡®Trust-Building Process on the Korean Peninsula¡¯ as a key policy of the new administration. It aimed at creating a fresh dynamic in inter-Korean relations. Though the North¡¯s nuclear test created pressure to revise the trust-building process, I made it clear that I would stay the course. Indeed, the trust-building process was intended specifically to break the vicious cycle of rewarding North Korean provocations to placate tensions.
The trust-building process was formulated to overcome the limitations of both appeasement and hardline policies: While the former depended entirely on the North¡¯s tenuous good faith, the latter implied only relentless pressure. The trust-building process, based on the strength of formidable deterrence, is intended to build sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula by making North Korea pay dearly for its aggressive acts, while ensuring opportunities for change and assistance if it is willing to become a responsible member of the international community. Since the launch of my administration, North Korea has escalated its military threats and bellicose rhetoric against the South. In April 2013, the North took the extreme step of unilaterally barring South Korean workers from entering the Gaesong Industrial Complex, a symbol of inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, and withdrawing all of its own workers.
Following the shutdown of the Gaesong facility, some suggested that the North be offered, through back-channel contacts, incentives to improve inter-Korean relations. But, aware that such contacts with the North had produced many adverse effects in the past, I opted for an open and transparent proposal for dialogue. I repeatedly emphasised to North Korea that trust can be built only by cooperating on small but meaningful projects and abiding by our promises — and calling attention to problematic behaviours — along the way. I have also explained to the international community the credibility and necessity of anchoring our policy in the trust-building process, securing support from many countries.
North Korea finally came to the dialogue in mid-July and a month later, agreed to normalise the operation of the Gaesong Industrial Complex in a constructive manner. As follow-up measures, a secretariat for the joint management of the complex was established, and government officials from the two Koreas began daily meetings. It was a small but significant step forward, considering that inter-Korean dialogue has been virtually non-existent over the past five years, and that tensions stoked by the North reached a peak in the early days of my administration. However, there is still a long way to go to full normalisation of the Gaesong facility, not to mention inter-Korean relations. The North remains lukewarm to the follow-up dialogue for passage of workers, communication and customs clearance — all of which are essential. Furthermore, North Korea unilaterally cancelled the reunion of separated families only a few days before the agreed date, breaking the hearts of those who had long been eagerly awaiting it. North Korea then resumed its slander and threats against us. All such behaviour is extremely disappointing, reminding us how difficult it is to build trust with the North.
For the past ten months, my government has sought to abide by international norms in implementing its North Korea policy, while trying to meet people¡¯s expectations. Policies cannot succeed if the public cannot be reasoned with and persuaded; and inter-Korean relations cannot make progress in harmony with neighbouring countries if they fail to meet international standards. We will stick to these fundamental principles and set the following priorities for future North Korea policies.
First, we will pave the way to peace and a unification process that improves the quality of life and happiness of all Koreans. My government will maintain a strong deterrent capability, because airtight security constitutes the foundation of genuine peace. From this point, the government will strive to forge sustainable peace through dialogue, exchanges, and cooperation. The two Koreas must establish mutual trust by discussing matters with prudence and mutual respect, and by keeping promises on what has been agreed. Korea will also work to consolidate cooperation with the international community in this process. Unification is certainly a matter for the Korean people to decide, but it should be achieved with the support of neighbouring countries, ensuring that unification benefits all parties in the region.
Second, the government will endeavour to upgrade the ¡®Trust-Building Process¡¯ on the Korean Peninsula. Considering the deep-rooted suspicion between the two Koreas, restoring trust will not be an easy task. Notwithstanding this, my government will continue its efforts to refine the process and induce the North to change course. My government will devise various measures to expand the scope of South-North dialogue and cooperation. And we will continue providing humanitarian assistance to the North, as well as maintaining efforts to hold reunions of separated families and to resolve the issue of prisoners of war and abductees who have been kept in the North. In addition, we will increase the transparency of our North Korea policies. Of course, considering the nature of inter-Korean relations, not all matters can be disclosed in full detail. But providing as much accurate information as possible to the public is the best way to ensure firm popular support for these policies and their effective implementation.
Third, Korea will seek denuclearisation of the North as a means to pursue joint progress on the Korean Peninsula and across Northeast Asia. Indeed, inter-Korean relations can properly progress when the North forswears its nuclear development and joins the South in a partnership based on mutual confidence. With Iran¡¯s nuclear programme now being addressed through credible negotiations, the international community is turning its attention to North Korea. The North must take advantage of this opportunity. If the North shows a firm commitment to denuclearisation and takes practical steps to this end, we will take the lead in securing the international community¡¯s support for active assistance in the North¡¯s economic development. Furthermore, we will endeavour to help the peninsula progress together with our neighbours in the Northeast Asian region.
North Korea has recently shown interest in setting up special economic development zones. But no country including South Korea would invest in North Korea if it persists with nuclear development. If North Korea truly cares for its people, it must give up the unrealistic twin goals of nuclearisation and economic development. Instead, it must abide by international norms and get along with its neighbours to become a credible partner.
Bringing North Korea in from the cold is a national-security strategy that cannot be blown off course by internal events there. Thus, I have proposed the Eurasian Initiative, which dovetails with my plan for peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia and envisions connecting the Eurasian continent¡¯s divided logistics networks and removing obstacles that hinder exchanges to make it a viable single entity. To make this Initiative succeed, the Korean Peninsula must be the first to dismantle the wall of distrust, for it is the gateway that links Eurasia and the Pacific. The project to build a World Peace Park in the DMZ (demilitarised zone) that divides the Korean Peninsula can be a starting point. From here, the countries of the continent and the ocean together with the two Koreas must build trust and promote cooperation, and disseminate such practices to other areas.
As such, the Korean Peninsula will be able to cast off its old role as a stumbling block and revive itself as a stepping-stone for peace in Eurasia and Northeast Asia.
— Project Syndicate, 2013
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