[Editorial] The music of reconciliation

Posted on : 2008-02-27 10:16 KST Modified on : 2008-02-27 10:16 KST

Prior to the historic performance of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang on February 26, some members of the international community remarked that the performance would showcase music’s power to bring people together, some said that it was like a kind of cultural global warming and others said that it was like an invasion of U.S. music into the reclusive kingdom.

The New York Philharmonic’s performance in Pyongyang could actually be a watershed in North Korea-U.S. relations. It was the first time a U.S. orchestra played in Pyongyang, and, in an unprecedented move, the North broadcast the performance live, across the nation. It could be called “sing-song diplomacy,” similar to the ping-pong diplomacy that took place between the United States and China in the 1970s and which contributed to an easing of tense relations between the two nations. The Philadelphia Orchestra gave concerts in China in 1973 and the Boston Symphony Orchestra and New York Philharmonic Orchestra performed in the Soviet Union in the 1950s. It is clear that the historic concert in Pyongyang will improve relations between North Korea and the United States.

It is meaningful to note that chief U.S. nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill played an important role in bringing about the performance. North Korea insists that it needs nuclear weapons because the United States is displaying a hostile policy toward it, according to Hill, adding that the New York Philharmonic’s performance shows that such an argument is invalid. Hill’s remarks indicate that the United States wants reconciliation with North Korea. Hill advocated for the performance as a way to convey this message, while urging the reclusive nation to abandon its nuclear weapons programs. The North’s positive response to the performance reflects a similar desire for reconciliation with the United States.

However, the six-party talks have hit a snag because North Korea has yet to report all of its nuclear programs, and the United States needs to remove the North from its list of states supporting terrorism. Washington is demanding that Pyongyang first provide a thorough declaration, containing not only the amount of plutonium it owns but also its uranium enrichment program and the extent of its nuclear cooperation with other countries. On the other hand, North Korea has shown that it will act if the United States takes measures to give up its policy of hostility. Now is the time to destroy this wall of distrust and actively work to find a breakthrough. The most important thing is that both countries act simultaneously, and base their actions on mutual trust. In this process, South Korea’s new administration should take a leading role. North Korean Deputy Culture Minister Song Seok-hwan noted that the performance was held during the period when winter ends and spring is on its way. From now on, Pyongyang and Washington should make an effort to bring this historic turning point to bear on ties between the two nations.


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