hankyoreh

Despite many ups and downs along the way, there has been steady progress in inter-Korean relations since the 2000 summit in Pyongyang, in economic cooperation and exchange and in humanitarian endeavors. The Gaeseong Industrial Park is right on track, and thousands of South Koreans are in North Korea every day. A rail link connecting Seoul and Gaeseong began test runs in May of this year. Still, however, the level of relations has failed to keep up with the hopes of the Korean people and the rapidly changing pace of the regional political situation.

It is in this context that South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korea’s National Defence Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il meet for a summit in Pyongyang for three days, seven years after the first inter-Korean summit. It is historically significant and the two leaders have much to work out. Most important will be having an eye for the long-term, big picture, and putting together a new framework for North-South relations.

It is appropriate that Roh wants to give talking about establishing peace on the peninsula the greatest priority. Everything about relations is at risk without a firm peace. The peace that gets discussed at these talks should therefore be something that is firm and permanent and does not waver no matter what situations may change. It is what is meant by a “peace regime for the Korean peninsula.” The two leaders need to adopt a “peace declaration” that expresses the intentions of both sides to create a peace regime. In addition they need to agree on making high-level talks between representatives of each side regularly scheduled occurrences, so as to talk about lessening tensions and build trust between each side’s militaries in the West Sea and the demilitarized zone, and to discuss arms reductions and other military issues. It should also go without saying that at this summit the North needs to clearly state its intention to completely give up its nuclear capabilities.

They also need to take economic cooperation to a higher level. Having North and South Korea develop new special economic zones in places like Haeju, Nampo, Sinuiju and Wonsan would be very significant in that it would be a tangible way to implement the vision for a “Korean Peninsula economic zone,” because it would be about going beyond the simple belief that deepening economic cooperation is in each others’ interests and establishing a timetable for the formation of that economic zone. Naturally there needs to be improvement on existing economic cooperation projects like Gaeseong and the conditions there ahead of this. Having a stable framework in place that aims toward reunification will also be important - things like regular summits and prime minister-level talks and the establishment of permanent resident organizations on each side. It is also time to take a new approach to family reunions and the issue of abducted South Korean citizens and POWs still in the North.

The political situation surrounding the Korean peninsula is in the most rapid change there has been since the end of the Cold War. U.S. President George W. Bush has changed his approach to North Korea and there is now more rapid progress at the six-party talks. Based on this, the United States is moving toward a fundamental reorganization of the security order in Northeast Asia, including the normalization of ties with Pyongyang. China and Japan are actively involving themselves in Korean peninsular affairs so as to be able to flex their strength in the region, and Russia, which had long been inactive, has lately been raising its voice on regional issues. It reminds you of the struggle between the powers that took place in and around the peninsula a century ago. It is essential at a time like this that North and South hold on at center stage, for the stability and development of the peninsula and for a smooth reorganization of the regional order.

The two leaders, therefore, need to go to the summit with a vision for a desirable peninsular and regional order. They need to take a proactive approach to creating a new framework while employing a common vision, one that goes beyond gu dong jon i, or “finding the similarities and shelving the differences.”

Kim Jong-il, for his part, needs to make it clear for all to see in these talks that North Korea is going to be a trustworthy partner in the international community. History is like flowing water. In this sense, he and Roh Moo-hyun need to play the role of men who open the floodgates of history and sow the seeds of prosperity and reunification of the Korean people.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]