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During a meeting of the National Assembly Committee on Unification, Foreign Affairs & Trade on April 29, Unification Minister Kim Ha-joong stated his ambivalence toward execution of the June 15 Joint Declaration and October 4 Joint Declaration, both of which were agreed to at inter-Korean summits in 2000 and 2007. Since the presidential election in 2007, the North has insisted that fulfillment of the two joint declarations is the touchstone for the resumption of inter-Korean relations.

At the meeting, lawmakers of the major opposition United Democratic Party asked Minister Kim whether he has the will to carry out the joint statements. Kim said, “The government could consider which parts of the inter-Korean agreements it will be possible to execute under the spirit of mutual respect,” adding, “The two Koreas have reached agreement on many issues but I don’t want to discuss the existing agreements between Seoul and Pyongyang individually. I will make a general review of them.”

He added, “Among the agreements between South and North Korea - including the July 4 Joint Declaration (1974), the General Agreement between South and North Korea (1991), the June 15 Joint Declaration (2000) and the October 4 Joint Declaration (2007) - many have not been fulfilled.” However, it seems he has an ambiguous position on implementation of the June 15 and October 4 Joint Declarations.

Kim’s vague attitude could have something to do with the North’s having rejected President Lee Myung-bak’s proposal to establish liaison offices in Seoul and Pyongyang, as well as their continual criticism of Lee’s administration. Seoul initially considered suggesting a resumption of dialogue with Pyongyang as a follow-up measure to recent ROK-U.S. summit talks, but has taken a more prudent position instead, saying that the question of resuming inter-Korean dialogue will be discussed after the North has responded to the situation.

Regarding humanitarian aid for the North, Kim reiterated the government’s existing position that the South will review the matter based on humanitarian principles if there is a request from the North. This means that the South is not likely to discuss providing food assistance to the North before it asks.

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