hankyoreh

The issue of South Korean prisoners of war and citizens abducted by North Korea has long been a point of contention between the two countries, but a recent proposal by the Ministry of Unification to resolve the issue was believed to have been reported to President-elect Lee Myung-bak’s transition team on January 15. The plan would involve exchanging South Korean economic aid for North Korean cooperation in identifying prisoners of war and abducted citizens, as well as providing an opportunity for these people to be repatriated and live with their families in the South.

On January 7, the ministry proposed a plan involving economic cooperation projects in exchange for information on, and identification of, South Korean prisoners of war and abductees in North Korea. According to the plan, prisoners of war and abductees would end up being allowed to meet their families and live with them in the South. The ministry’s plan is based upon a similar plan carried out by the government of the former West Germany prior to reunification with the East in which economic aid was proffered in exchange for political prisoners.

In 2006, then Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok also proposed a similar plan, saying, “We could give aid to North Korea in order to resolve the issue of South Korean abductees.”

Another possible plan put forward by the Unification Ministry calls for setting up a behind-the-scenes channel of communication with the North to deal with the issue.

Thus far, the issue has been dealt with at inter-Korean ministerial meetings and talks hosted by the Red Cross. However, it remains unclear whether North Korea will accept these proposals because it has repeatedly said that there are no South Korean abductees or prisoners of war in the North.

Following a directive from President-elect Lee Myung-bak to focus on the issue, the Defense Ministry proposed calling for a United Nations resolution on the return of prisoners of war earlier this week. Out of an estimated 560 Korean citizens believed to still be living in North Korea, 70 had returned to the South and 13 had died as of late October last year.

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