Yesterday, the Korean government proposed a
conference to the one in the North. The conference would explore options on
improving inter-Korean relations. Topics at the conference would be the North’s
participation in the Incheon Asian Games, Chuseok family reunions, resuming Mt. Kumkang tourism, rescinding May 24th sanctions and other major issues.
In particular, while making this proposition, the South also clearly signaled
its willingness to provide $13.3 million USD in aid through international
charities for supporting mothers and newborn babies. This is a clear indicator of the South’s willingness to work at improving its relations with the North.
If the North Korean economy is to rapidly
develop, then it needs large scale foreign investment. However, the attitude of
the Kim regime is preventing such investment from taking place. The conditions
in North Korea are the worst for investors. It is true that some Chinese
corporations have made investments, but they are limited to buying coal and
other metals at a pittance. In such a situation, the only country that is
willing to assist North Korea without ulterior motives is South Korea. The
South has the money and the skills to assist the North, and to do so even if it
does not pay any immediate dividends.
However, the Kim regime has worsened the
inter-Korean in the last two years. Incessant war mongering has been
followed by stopping the operations at Kaesong. Recently, missiles and rockets
have been fired at the South. Consequently, the North has become even more
isolated, and its results have been borne by its people. Although the regime
now tolerates marketplaces, concrete changes will not take place if relations between the Koreas do not change.
If the North wants the South’s help, they
should seek it with an open hand, and not with any manipulative schemes.
Beginning steps would be participation in the Asian Games and staging the
family reunions. Furthermore, the annual joint USA-South Korea military
exercises should not be used as an excuse to heighten tensions. If the Kim regime
shows goodwill, then Mt. Geumgang tourism will resume, and the May 24th
sanctions will be rescinded. Such opportunities of attaining the South’s
cooperation will not often come. The Kim regime must understand that this is
the last opportunity to attain the South’s assistance. Thank you for listening.
