A Proposal for Debate to Opponents of Unification Media Group

The Solidarity for Democracy, People’s
Livelihood, Peaceful Reunification, and the Sovereignty of Korea released a
statement opposing the formation of Unification Media Group [UMG] on December
27th 2014, noting that “psychological warfare broadcasts” may increase the risk
of war on the Korean Peninsula. To this end, two members of the civic organization
picketed outside the office of Unification Media Group on December 29th and,
two days later, several members gathered at the Central Government Complex in
Seoul, where the Ministry of Unification is located, to hold a press
conference. Notably, the co-chair of the organization, Yun Ki Jin, is the husband of
Hwang Seon, who stirred up controversy by hosting a “pro-North Korea forum”
recently.

Let me get straight to the point. First, it
is not true that UMG is conducting psychological warfare. Psychological warfare
is defined by a type of war that is intended to dampen the morale of the enemy
without the use of force. UMG has no intention whatsoever of fighting against
the 23 million North Korean people. Our desire is simply to act as the eyes and
ears of the North Korean residents. We don’t see any reason to launch
psychological warfare operations against North Koreans, whom we have never
considered enemies. We only try to tell the “truth” that North Koreans, who live
in a deeply isolated society with their eyes and ears forced shut, want and need to know.

Second, it is completely unrealistic to
contend that broadcasts of UMG may either spark actual war and/or escalate the
risk of war. In fact, Radio Free Chosun and Open Radio of North Korea have been
transmitting broadcasts into North Korea since December 10th 2005. Since then,
we have not seen a single report of a battle or war on account of operations at
the two radio stations. Moreover, North Korea also launched a radio broadcast,
titled “Echoes of Unification,” targeting South Korea on December 1st 2012. UMG
cannot possibly serve as a compelling reason to start a war. Any arms
provocations by North Korea under the pretext of our broadcasting will only
precipitate the collapse of the regime. Kim Jong Eun and Yun Ki Jin understand
this point better than anyone else. Therefore, one can be rest assured that
Unification Media Group has nothing to do with military action by North Korea.

Once again, Unification
Media Group does not seek to conduct psychological warfare. Our goal is to
spread the values and awareness necessary for the age of reunification by
narrowing the information and cultural gap between the people of the two
Koreas. It would be difficult to form a truly unified society if South Koreans
lack understanding about their neighbors in the North, who are brainwashed into
believing that “South Korea is a colony of the U.S. and people there are
starved or beaten to death” and that “North Korea should liberate South Korea from
American imperialism.” UMG will strive to raise awareness among South Korean
people about the lives of North Koreans and the age of reunification while
helping North Korean residents gain a clear and accurate depiction of South Korea.

Just to reiterate my point, UMG has no
intention to spark a war with North Korea. The North Korean regime, which
poses a threat to the world as well as its own people in the South through the development of nuclear weapons and missiles, should be held accountable for the
growing risk of war on the Korean Peninsula. Our efforts will help North
Koreans understand that the true path to reunification and peace of the Korean
peninsula lies in people-first politics, opening and reform as opposed to
military-first politics and nuclear missiles. The North Korean regime’s songun [military-first] politics and focus on military confrontation will lose validity as
more and more North Koreans tune into our programs.

Now, I want to offer a  proposal to Mr. Yun
Ki Jin and his organization. Let’s have a debate over whether UMG really
undermines peace and reunification efforts of the Korean peninsula, or rather,
encourages changes and reform of the North for peaceful reunification. We will
take this as an opportunity to reveal our vision, goals, and future plans to become a better broadcasting station.

We are always willing to participate in the
debate. It is completely up to Mr Yun Ki Jin and his organization to decide the
date, place, theme and agenda of the debate. We hope to have an opportunity to
share our views and narrow differences with those who openly reject the idea of
Unification Media Group.

*Views expressed in Commentaries do not necessarily reflect those of Daily NK.