hankyoreh

North Korea officially requested humanitarian assistance from South Korea during working-level Red Cross talks that took place Saturday. This is the first time since the launch of the Lee Myung-bak administration that North Korea has officially made this type of request. The request came following South Korea’s request for additional family reunions, and analysts are saying the two countries’ requests appear to be virtually connected. The room for negotiation and options that determine possible advance and retreat in inter-Korean relations have now become clearer.

Realistically speaking, in examining the Lee administration’s position, it appears North Korea’s request will not be easy to resolve. The Lee administration has maintained the attitude that large-scale humanitarian assistance will be possible only if there is progress on the North Korea nuclear issue. The Lee administration has also said that large-scale aid requires an inter-governmental agreement, and has expressed the need to link humanitarian aid with mechanisms for transparency and reciprocity on the prisoner of war (POW) and abductee issue. The issues have become so entangled that there is hardly space to move at all. Difficulty is expected beginning with discussions on whether to give aid and the amount that should be given.

It is doubtful that the administration’s attitude will have the desired effect. Humanitarian aid should be given in consistent accordance with humanitarian principles. A good example can be seen in how humanitarian aid was consistently given once the June 15, 2000 Joint Declaration was put into place, which led to a positive cycle of reduced inter-Korean hostility and progress in North Korea-U.S. relations. In linking aid to North Korea to political matters such as the North Korea nuclear issue, South Korea has on several occasions retreated to a secondary and passive position in the North Korea nuclear issue.

Current circumstances are showing the great need for progress in inter-Korean relations. The U.S. already seems firm in its intention to make progress towards dialogue with North Korea, and observers say that China, which has affirmed its ties with North Korea, has also been conveying its hope for progress in inter-Korean dialogue. Despite this, if South Korea hesitates in sending humanitarian aid, it will, far from landing a leading role in the North Korea nuclear issue, kill the possibilities for inter-Korean dialogue.

There is also a realistic need from within South Korea to send aid to North Korea. Farmers, caught with tons of excessive rice and falling rice prices, have been strongly demanding the resumption of rice aid to North Korea, if only to bring stability to rice prices. In addition, calls are even coming from within the ruling Grand National Party to use rice aid in negotiations for family reunions to regularly take place. It is ridiculous that the government is considering a rice donation event in Gwanghwamun Plaza and plans to provide domestic rice reserves to developing countries for free instead. The worst part is that North Korea’s food situation is projected to become even worse next year. The administration should respond to North Korea’s request for immediate humanitarian assistance.

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