[Editorial] Everyone involved needs to reformulate N. Korea policy

Posted on : 2014-09-02 12:06 KST Modified on : 2014-09-02 12:06 KST

The icy relations between North and South Korea and between North Korea and the US are little by little showing signs of thawing. While there is not yet any definite progress, it is possible that the mood will change during the UN General Assembly and the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, both of which are taking place in the middle of September. All of the parties involved will have to work hard to ensure that these new movements will lead toward dialogue and negotiations for resolving the issue of North Korea’s nuclear program.

On Aug. 31, even while insisting that its current North Korean policy remains unchanged, the US government called for direct communication through the New York channel, an official diplomatic link. When viewed in combination with the appointment on Sept. 2 of Sydney Seiler as the US State Department’s special envoy to the six-party talks, the US seems to be indicating it will try to engage in dialogue with North Korea.

In relation to this, unconfirmed reports have suggested that a US government official was recently flown to Pyongyang on a military aircraft. Indeed, with three American citizens currently detained in North Korea, the US has no choice but to make contact with North Korea in one way or another. At this juncture, the US needs to completely rethink its North Korea policy. If the US adheres to its policy of strategic patience, it is obvious that the nuclear issue will only get worse.

North Korea is planning to send its foreign minister to the UN General Assembly for the first time in 15 years to deliver a keynote address. During Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong’s visit to the US, there are sure to be opportunities to meet with senior officials from the US and South Korea. The North needs to adopt a different attitude to turn this into a springboard for starting meaningful dialogue about the nuclear issue. The international community is always ready to provide aid to North Korea, once it knows for sure that Pyongyang means to give up its nuclear weapons. But if Ri instead takes a hard-lined position on nuclear weapons, missile tests, and human rights issues, he might as well not attend the General Assembly.

The most important thing is the attitude of the South Korean government. Seoul is in the unique position of being able to influence both inter-Korean relations and the relationship between North Korea and the US. In terms of inter-Korean relations, we hope that the South Korean government will take a forward-looking stance on the questions of possibly lifting the May 24 measures and resuming tourism to Mt. Keumgang so that the high-level talks can achieve results when they are held. Public opinion is also calling for the government to make an active effort to improve relations with the North.

In regard to the relationship between North Korea and the US, Seoul must convince Washington to actively engage in dialogue with North Korea. This is the role that must be played by Kim Kwan-jin, Blue House National Security Office Chief, during his upcoming visit to the US. If a virtuous circle can be created for inter-Korean relations and for relations between North Korea and the US, finding a solution for the issue of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program will become easier.

The six-party talks, which were designed to find a solution for North Korea’s nuclear program, were last held in Dec. 2008. If the current situation continues and leads to a fourth nuclear test by North Korea, we might find ourselves heading down a path from which there is no return. Now is the time for all of the parties involved to review their current policies and to seek a new direction.

 

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