South Korean analysts have stated that agricultural cooperation will help prepare for reunification on the Korean peninsula and provide momentum for the daunting task of bringing the two disparate countries together. While North Korea continues its provocative acts with nuclear tests and missile launches, some have argued that it remains important to continue to seek ways to cooperate with the North in order to provide incentive for reform and enhance the prospects for peace.
The Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC) hosted the North Korea-South Korea Agricultural Cooperation Symposium on November 17 at Seoul’s Konkuk University. Park Kwang Ho, a professor at the Korea National College of Agriculture and Fisheries said, “Agricultural development has enabled the ‘compressed growth’ that has been so instrumental in the economic development of the two Koreas. If we hope to achieve a second burst of compressed growth, we need to focus on North Korea’s agricultural development and the North-South cooperation required to fuel it.”
“In the past, automation in the agricultural sector drove great sections of the population into the cities. This was the way that South Korea industrialized, and the same type of development is possible for North Korea. But to make it a reality we need to research and test potential methods,” Professor Park added.
Professor Park gave anecdotes on his personal involvement in a North-South cooperative agriculture project aimed at improving crop production and efficiency. With two years of experience (2006-2008) living and working together with North Korean specialists and farmers, it became possible to downsize a 6,100 person team to a 100 person team, using the power of automation and modern equipment.
“North Korea has the fundamentals in place to operate its farms, but is sorely lacking in fertilizer, its ageing equipment is worn down, and overall efficiency is low. In order to solve North Korea’s agricultural technology deficits, the South needs to begin genuine research efforts,” Professor Park continued.
Moon Heon Pal, director of the Northern Agricultural Research Center, added, “We need to develop equipment and methods that are suited to the specific crops and conditions of North Korea. Developing superior rice seeds and other crops provides an opportunity for meaningful North-South collaboration.”
With regards to food production in a post-unified Korea, Director Moon noted, “North Korea is currently using corn as its staple crop, so transitioning to rice will be an important step. Helping North Korea to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production will be essential for the reunification process.”
On a different note, the panelists also discussed the potential for a food security crisis emerging from a national disaster. To prepare for such an event, a ‘Unification Agriculture Master Plan,’ was suggested.
“Supply and demand of food provisions has become a more important topic in the context of a potential crisis. To make the master plan a reality, it is critically important to have input from experts representing the various sectors that are relevant to food production and food crisis response,” the KRC’s Dr. Kim Kwan Ho said.
“There are a number of researchers lending their expertise and contributing to the research, but there is not good cooperation with specialists in the North. We need the government to step in to provide us with broad policy goals and specific plans,” Dr. Kim added.
Dr. Kim recommended that progress be initiated by developing a foothold in a poorer area, followed by the provision of development funds to help the North’s fertilizer factories return to normal operations. He also noted that setting up a joint North-South development team may be a good idea.
Former Unification Minister Kang In Duk delivered the opening address for the symposium and stressed the importance of North-South agricultural cooperation. “Relations between our countries are at a low right now, and it is not clear how much longer they will remain this way. The worse things are, the more appropriate it is to concern ourselves with efforts related to North-South agricultural cooperation. This is our responsibility,” Mr Kang said.
“North Korea’s agricultural conditions are inadequate. Far too many North Koreans deal with health problems stemming from malnutrition. By establishing and growing agricultural partnerships with the North, we can make a real change and alleviate their suffering.”
KRC President: “History is calling for reunification. North-South agricultural cooperation will play an essential role.”
The KRC announced that it plans to coordinate with various experts to work together on developing agricultural partnerships with the North as it continues to actively advocate for cooperation.
In an interview with Daily NK on the day of the symposium, President Jeong Seung said, “We need to expand North-South exchange programs to assist with joint agricultural development projects, and this in itself is helpful in terms of reunification. We have invited experts from all walks of life to contribute to the conversation about what sort of research is needed to create meaningful cooperation, and we plan to continue this conversation in the future.”
“North Korea’s agricultural production systems are different from ours, so it is important to find and develop effective complementary systems such as irrigation. This will help us reduce the massive difference in output between the North and South, while we also ensure that we are moving North Korea toward balanced crop production,” Jeong continued.
“KRC’s most important task is to provide the water that will enable food production to solve North Korea’s food security challenges. We are currently undertaking the kind of research that is needed to prepare for reunification.”
Jeong added that the KRC is ready to play a leading role in helping to improve and strengthen North-South ties through agricultural cooperation, and noted the KRC’s potential to serve as a bridge linking the two countries.
“History is calling for reunification. But there is a lot of preparation and hard work that we need to do before it occurs. The KRC’s strongest contribution will be in the fields of humanitarian assistance and agricultural collaboration. That’s why we’re focusing on developing specific cooperation strategies now,” Jeong added.
When asked about the broader tasks associated with reunification, President Jeong replied, “There are a lot of organizations working towards this goal, such as the North Korea Research Center, an organization affiliated with the KRC. Together, these organizations are looking into how to implement a practical plan. Expert advice will need to be reflected in the policy architecture.”
Over 200 attendees participated in the symposium, revealing a broad interest in the content.
