Eight Experts’ Opinions on the Summit

With the North-South Summit Talks coming up, we have reviewed the opinions of experts from the political and NGO arenas.

[Political]
[imText1]Gwon Young Sae / Grand National Party Member associated with the Unification, Foreign Affairs, and Trade Committee of National Assembly

Actual plans should be discussed rather than hollow catchphrases as long as the two heads, Roh Moo Hyun and Kim Jong Il, are meeting. It cannot become an ambiguous meeting about peace regimes or a plan for the reunification. Issues such as the amelioration of the current status concerning North Korean human rights, abductees, and military prisoners of war, and separated families should be fundamentally addressed. They should not lead to a result that appeals to democratic and abstract sentiments such as one nation or one collective.

Especially regarding North-South Korea’s economic cooperation, which will be the hottest topic of debate, discussions which will cast too much of a burden on the next administration should not be agreed on.

[imText2]Choi Jae Chun / United New Democratic Party Member associated with the Unification, Foreign Affairs, and Trade Committee of National Assembly

It is important to lower the expectations for a historic summit talk. Both sides meeting is, in itself, a sufficiently meaningful event.

The Inter-Korea Summit Talks should put on the table all subjects as topics of discussion. For instance, the Grand National Party’s position which considers denuclearization as a condition for peace, or the position of other entities regarding peace without a threat of war should be considered a condition and submitted to Chairman Kim Jong Il.

Economic cooperation, a peace regime, and the North Korean nuclear issue should absolutely be included in the joint declaration of the Summit, and a plan for abolishing nuclear weapons should be discussed at length. Agreement on the abductee issue or the human rights issue will be difficult, but should be expressed. Further, the position of surrounding countries regarding the Japanese abductee issue and the firing of missiles should be relayed.

In particular, the abductees, separated families and North Korean human rights should be discussed and put on the record. Through various talks, these issues have been proposed, but it is hard to know whether they have adequately been relayed to Chairman Kim, so they should be made known at the meeting of the two heads.

[Expert]
[imText3]Kim Tae Hyo / International Political Science Professor, Sungkyunkwan University

The Roh Moo Hyun administration has maintained that the Summit Talks are to lead North and South Korea to reunification through reconciliation. However, peace on the peninsula is an issue which should be realized over time in the form of military confidence-building between North and South Korea and the complete dismantlement of nuclear weapons.

It is worrisome that the current South Korean administration, with a limited amount of time left, is stepping forward with such issues. Detailed plans regarding the dismantlement of nuclear weapons have not been established, and dismantlement does not signify abandonment of nuclear weapons.

The Roh Moo Hyun administration is rushing to lead the agreement by raising this significant issue. President Roh is seemingly attempting to influence domestic politics. Whether or not an agreement can be reached between North and South Korea through proper evaluation and analysis under the next administration is a question that should be taken under consideration; but the means by which the current administration is approaching the issue is worrisome.

[imText4]Yu Ho Yul / North Korean Studies Professor, Korea University

Currently, the most important issue is North Korea’s denuclearization. If North Korea decides to follow though with denuclearization, we have to reach exchanges between North and South Korea and the facilitation of peace on the peninsula by completing denuclearization as quickly as possible.

Further, we have to make sure that the Inter-Korea Summit Talks are not used for political gain or in a way that will influence South Korea’s presidential elections. Also, I would like to advise against making hasty promises or agreements that may place a burden on the citizens.

[NGOs]
[imText5]Kim Yun Tae / Secretary General of the Network for North Korean Democracy and Human Rights

Three elements should notably be handled at the Summit Talks. First, when North Korea abandons nuclear weapons, it has to be persuaded that economic exchange must expand and that genuine peace can be established on the peninsula. Second, the concern of international society should pave the way for reaching a solution regarding the severe human rights violations suffered by North Korean citizens. Lastly, under the active support of the South Korean government, North Korea’s opening and reform should be implemented.

[imText6]Doh Hee Yun / Citizen’s Coalition for Human Rights of Abductees and North Korean Refugees Representative

Little is expected from the upcoming Summit Talks due to conditions not being met in regards to the abductees, human rights, and nuclear issues, which are deeply-rooted ethnic dilemmas.

Only when these talks yield solutions for the North Korean human rights, abductees, and nuclear issues will a genuine peace on the peninsula be possible.

[imText7]Lee Ok Cheol / Families of the Abducted and Detained in North Korea Representative

The families of abductees, who have big expectations for the Summit Talks, will watch with hopeful hearts. In the case of aging abductees, they consider the talks to be a last opportunity to see their living relatives. As reaching a resolution is difficult, considering
North Korea’s political position, I sincerely hope that verification of the life and death of the abductees will be made possible.

[imText8]Park Eun Jae/University Electorate Acting Committee Chair, Student Body President of Chonbuk University

We should be able to raise our voices regarding the human rights of North Korean citizens and the abducee issue. Accordingly, the Summit Talks should lead actual change by placing these issues on the agenda.