hankyoreh

It’s blue crab season. In recent years the catch has been smaller, but this year there is a relative abundance of the critters. Fisherman who work near the Northern Limit Line, however, are sighing in frustration, because there’s nothing they can do about the fact that Chinese fishing boats are making off with all the blue crab. Reportedly, there is a flotilla of about 200 Chinese fishing vessels taking all the crabs they want north of the NLL, and they’re coming south of the NLL as well.

The single biggest reason they are able to do this is because of the poor state of inter-Korean relations. The South is unable to get strict with the Chinese boats because it worries about a clash occurring with the North in that process. Once a Chinese fisherman you’re chasing escapes over onto the northern side of the NLL, it’s like a dog staring at a chicken he has chased onto a roof, so unless they venture way below the NLL, there’s no way of seizing them. Not that Seoul can ask for the North’s cooperation. The North appears to be tolerating the Chinese fishing boats, but inter-Korean dialogue has been all but nonexistent for months already.

Both North and South know well enough what the solution would be: a joint fishing zone. At the inter-Korean summit in October of last year it was agreed that they would cooperate in drawing a joint fishing and “peace” zone in the West Sea and establishing what would be called the “West Sea Peace and Cooperation Zone.” Among that which was agreed to at the time, the joint fishing zone was something that could have been implemented immediately in time for blue crab season. We’re paying the price now for not having followed through.

The bigger problem is that the South Korean government is not changing its unrealistic and one-sided understanding of North Korea. Speaking about the subject of humanitarian aid for the North on May 20, the president said, “The North isn’t thankful when you help, and that’s a little...,” without finishing his sentence. “I think its heart has to change for things to develop.” In other words, he is demanding that the North admit to being a country receiving help and approach the South bent in submission. It is not fitting for inter-Korean relations to approach the North like a big conglomerate treats a subcontractor.

The foundation of inter-Korean relations is looking towards reunification while pursuing joint prosperity through the establishment of peace and through cooperation. It would be a big mistake to think we can force on the other side a one-way relationship because of a difference in national strength. Before attacking the North for attacking the South Korean president with coarse language, and before denying all the accomplishments of the previous president, Seoul should give serious consideration to what a mutually beneficial North Korea policy would be. The blue crab situation shows you how both sides lose when relations are what they are today.

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