hankyoreh

It was a mistake for the South Korean government to brusquely dismiss on Jan. 17 the “important proposal” that North Korea made the previous evening. While it is true that the North’s behavior is somewhat crude and there were some dubious aspects in the proposal, the right choice - the responsible choice - that the authorities in Seoul and Pyongyang must make to improve inter-Korean relations is sitting down together and holding talks.

There were essentially three parts to North Korea’s proposal: both sides refraining from all further slander of each other, ending all military actions intended to provoke the other side (including the Key Resolve/Foal Eagle military exercises), and taking practical steps to prevent a nuclear catastrophe.

Among the three, the item of greatest interest to the North seems to be the Key Resolve/Foal Eagle US-ROK joint military exercises that take place between the end of February and March. Tensions on the Korean peninsula increased greatly around the time of the exercises last year as well. The North likely made this request not only because the level of mobilization required to prepare for the exercises puts a burden on the state but also because Pyongyang needed to show it is genuinely pursuing peace.

But there is no reason why we must view Pyongyang’s proposal purely as a tactical one. If we consider North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s New Year’s address, which was released at the beginning of January, and the North’s behavior since then, Pyongyang continues to show its intention to improve inter-Korean relations. Another sign of change is the North’s offer to discuss its nuclear program with the South.

The South Korean government’s response can be summarized as follows: the North’s proposal lacks sincerity, and it must first take responsibility and show remorse for its past provocations. It is true that the North’s behavior since Sept. 2013 has reduced its credibility, and the North’s internal affairs are complicated. Even so, it is not appropriate to regard the North’s recent efforts to improve inter-Korean relations solely in terms of a peace offensive.

In addition, if the South Korean government only shows suspicion and distrust of the North, the North will respond in the same manner. Continuing in this fashion, it will not be easy to find an opportunity to transform inter-Korean relations, and we will find ourselves returning to the same intense showdown that we faced last year.

The South Korean government says that, since the Key Resolve/Foal Eagle exercises are defensive exercises conducted yearly, there is no reason for the North to take issue with them. But there is ample reason for North and South to discuss suspending all military exercises. The South could consider adjusting the scale of the Key Resolve/Foal Eagle exercises (provided that the North took corresponding measures) or permitting officials from the North to participate in the exercises as observers. The South also needs to ascertain what the North meant by “practical measures to prevent a nuclear catastrophe.” Demanding that the North take meaningful steps to denuclearize at once only decreases the chances of resuming talks about North Korea’s nuclear program.

The South Korean government must show that it intends to take the lead in resolving the problems affecting inter-Korean relations. We also hope that the North will take practical steps to end hostile military activity, as it promised. As long as both sides are willing, there is no issue that cannot be discussed. Objectively speaking, we are in a situation where improvement is needed in inter-Korean relations.

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