[imText1]After the creation of the U.N. Security Council’s North Korea resolution, the Korea-U.S. conflict is treading dangerous waters. The tension between the two parties is rising as each has conflicting opinions on the issue of North Korean sanctions.
On close examination of internal affairs, Korea and the U.S. already follow divergent paths. Since the passing of the U.N. Security Council resolution a week ago, it seems that the Korean government is leaning towards partnering with China in regard to the dispute over North Korean sanctions. The northeast powers consist of the U.S. and Japan, and Russia and China, whereas both South and North Korea seem to be somewhat out of the loop and alienated.
In an atmosphere where the Korea-U.S. relationship is already facing challenges, Unification Minister Lee Jong Suk’s speech seemed only to add fuel to the fire. In regard to the North Korean missile launch, Minister Lee said in an interview broadcast on Korean TV on the 23rd, “Although Korea and China both failed, in theory it was the U.S. who was the biggest failure”
As the U.N. Security Council’s North Korea resolution was being passed, the U.S. mutually cooperated with Japan. Though South Korea sympathized somewhat with China’s position, the resolution was eventually unanimously passed. The general public in the South has questioned their government as to why Korea is incurring criticism from the international community.
On the 21st, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed the unfortunate attitude of the Korean government, saying, “Prior to passing the resolution, resolutions based on discussions with many countries were drafted, however, they were not useful.”
Parliamentarian Park Jin of The Grand National Party relayed on the 24th that “High ranking U.S. officials said that ‘Korea has isolated itself. Even China, in relation to the missile launch, sent a warning signal to North Korea, yet the Korean government issued no particular response to North Korean actions'”.
North Korea; war expenditures are first priority for “Military First Politics”
As the U.S. and Japan established the U.N. resolution to pressure North Korea into negotiations, South Korea displayed a contrasting mindset. illustrating the difficulties the two nations will likely face regarding bilateral relations in the near future.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice revealed that “If North Korea does not abide by the Security Council’s resolution, next time other measures will be taken” insinuating more robust North Korean sanctions. In opposition, President Roh Moo Hyun said that “It is necessary for decisions to be made by other countries with ties to the North”, noting a desire for China to express resistance against U.S. and Japanese methods of oppression.
In regard to South and North Korean cooperation, a clear difference in opinion can be seen between Korea and the U.S. The U.S. is in a position of opposition as it believes that the money earned from the Gaesung Industry Complex and Mt Gumgang tourism industry will be used for the development of nuclear weapons and missiles. However, the South Korean government believes that “There will be no problems, as they are liberal and private economic activities”.
It is increasingly likely that the continued operation of the Gaesung Industry Complex and Mt. Gumgang tourism industry will intensify the conflict between Korea and the U.S. As long as the Kim Jong Il regime practices “Military Firsts Politics”, it is evident that funds will be invested in the development of WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction). Furthermore, it is possible that revenue from the Gaesung Industry Complex and Mt. Gumgang tourism industry is being diverted to WMD development.
Kim Tae San, former official within the Ministry of Light Industry, expressed the opinion long ago that “The Gaesung Industry Complex was founded on the basis of Kim Jong Il’s Korea-U.S. isolation strategy.” The current situation seems to be following this approach.
As long as the international community agrees to sanction the Kim Jong Il regime in response to the missile situation, South Korea cannot take a divergent path. If the South Korean government had evidence to prove that profits from the Gaesung Industry complex and Mt. Gumgang Tourism Industry were not supporting the military, then it would be responsible for providing this information to the international community.
If the Korea-U.S. conflict intensifies over the issue of North Korean sanctions, this will only result in the Kim Jong Il regime being dragged into further isolation.
