hankyoreh

Despite the Lee Myung-bak administration’s rejection of their first proposal, the North Korean government has demanded once again that the Lee administration accept an inspection team from the North Korean Military Commission. This is not something that can be viewed simply as a propaganda strategy by North Korea. We need to actively consider a joint North Korean-South Korean investigation, if only to boost the credibility of the results of the joint military-civilian investigation.

The administration’s view of North Korea’s offer to send an inspection team was quite evident in the statements issued by the Defense Ministry. Defense Minister Kim Tae-young said Friday, “It is ridiculous for, say, a burglar or murderer to say he will inspect the scene of the crime.”

Another high-ranking official revealed his displeasure, saying that an “inspection” was something enacted by a high organization unto a lower one. If it will help for a thorough investigation, however, there is no reason to disregard North Korea’s offer from the beginning or react sensitively to the term “inspection.”

The Lee administration claims that the joint military-civilian inspection team revealed the Cheonan was sunk by North Korea, but the situation is not one in which we can say the investigation has been completely finished. If it was a North Korean act, the best approach would be to make them acknowledge their mistakes in a place where they can directly see the results of their actions.

President Lee said the sinking of the Cheonan was a violation of the UN Charter, the armistice and the North Korea-South Korea “Basic Agreement” of 1991. North Korea, however, has cited an article of the Basic Agreement as grounds to send an inspection team. Article 8 of Chapter 2 of an annex to the Basic Agreement stipulates that if one side violates the agreement, a joint investigation must be carried out. A joint investigation also is needed to force North Korea to uphold the Basic Agreement. It also shows that the term “inspection” could also be the North Korean expression for a joint investigation.

North Korea must also show that it is clearly aware it is in the defendant’s seat and that it is responsible for actively working to provide a clear explanation for the charges against it. It must also strive to do its part to carry out the effective joint-investigation that it has requested. This includes going beyond wavering within the framework of an inspection team to being ready to reveal relevant military information if needed for an explanation. North Korea must know that as of now, if it does not step forward and prove it is not connected with the sinking of the Cheonan, the view that it sank the warship will only solidify in international opinion.

The Lee administration is scheduled to announce the response measures against North Korea in regards to the sinking of the Cheonan. If North Korea issues strong protests, it is possible that the situation on the Korean Peninsula could be strongly shaken. If there are flaws even now with the investigation into the sinking, it is also possible that even more will occur in the future. This also confirms the necessity for a joint North Korea-South Korea investigation. We hope that both countries step forward for a joint investigation before it is too late.

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