[Editorial] Overcoming the freeze in inter-Korean relations

Posted on : 2008-01-23 10:40 KST Modified on : 2008-01-23 10:40 KST

Pyongyang requested that Seoul postpone a sub-committee meeting on railway cooperation that was scheduled to take place yesterday and today, putting the brakes on a thaw in inter-Korean relations that had begun with the second round of summit talks in October. The six-party talks that Seoul and Washington have been seeking to hold within the month also seem as though they will be postponed until after next month. There are signs here and there that the multilateral process aimed at dismantling North Korea’s nuclear programs and improving inter-Korean relations is moving back into a stalemate.

The ambiguous North Korea policy held by President-elect Lee Myung-bak and his transition team, among other things, directly affects the current state of inter-Korean relations. The CEO-turned-politician has said that although he respects the agreements made between President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il during the October summit talks, he will control the pace of inter-Korean relations by linking economic cooperation projects with Pyongyang’s progress in disposing of its nuclear programs. That has led the North to lose confidence in the viability of future summit meetings. It seems that this uncomfortable situation will continue after the president-elect takes office, and into March or April. In the process, both Koreas run the risk of losing many of their past achievements.

The primary reason for the delay in the resumption of the six-party talks is a conflict between North Korea and the United States. The lame-duck government here in South Korea also plays a part as it has only one more month in power. This is in sharp contrast to past years, when the South Korean government was able to provide realistic solutions and fresh momentum to deadlocked inter-Korean talks. Against this backdrop, President-elect Lee and his transition team have failed to come up with solutions for making headway on this issue, though they have repeatedly talked about what should be done after the North ditches all of its nuclear programs.

President-elect Lee said in a press conference last week, “Even after the new administration is sworn in, we will continue to make an effort to ensure reconciliation and peace between the two Koreas.” Despite the reaffirmation, Lee inadvertently revealed his amateurism by focusing only on strengthening ties between Seoul and Washington as a way to realize these goals. To make matters worse, there are reports that the transition team is reviewing the possibility of joining the U.S. missile defense system and the Proliferation Security Initiative, which many observers worry could negatively affect peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

We should not let the six-party talks and inter-Korean relations remain in such a stalemate. That means the transition period gives us no excuse to waste time. The method is simple. The first step is for the president-elect and his transition team to cooperate with the incumbent administration so as to regain the upper hand in the multilateral nuclear disarmament talks, while sending the clear message that they will fulfill what was agreed upon during the October summit.


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