A criticism was introduced that the agreement between President Roh Moo Hyun and Kim Jong Il to hold the Inter-Korean Summit Talks on the 28th of this month is merely a “political event” to influence the December presidential elections.
The government, through a joint press conference with Baek Jong Chun, Chief Secretary to the President for Unification, Foreign and Security Policy, Kim Man Bok, Chief of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), and Lee Jae Jung, Minister of Unification at the Blue House at 10AM on the 8th, officially announced the holding of the Inter-Korea Summit Talks. North Korea, through Chosun Central News Agency, also announced this fact.
Regarding this, Yoo Ho Yeol of Korea University, North Korean Studies Professor at Korea University said in a phone conversation with DailyNK on the 8th, “This is merely a strategic agreement for each party’s aims than for real peace on the peninsula or for an improvement in North-South Korean relations.”
Professor Yoo criticized, “The upcoming Summit Talks should be properly carried out as long as they agree to the talks. The South government looks forward to building end-of-term results along with leading the end of the year Presidential elections while the North is looking to secure economic support.”
Additionally, he analyzed, “North Korea is not only coaxing economic support, but also has the intention to undermine the authority of the Grand National Party at the December elections. By creating a peaceful mood between North and South Korea, this ‘political event’ divides the powers into ‘war powers’ and ‘peace powers’ and gives an opportunity to the ‘peace powers’ who want to pursue the sunshine policy.”
He said, “Even if the Grand National Party centralizes power, North Korea has evaluated that it should not be problematic to have the Summit Talks. Since the talks will be held in Pyongyang, the North can prepare without too much of a burden.”
Cheong Seong Chang, Sejong Institute’s North-South Korea Relations Research Head pointed out that the upcoming Inter-Korean Summit Talks should not cast a favorable influence on either side and the government has the responsibility to sweep the image of “political event for the Presidential elections.”
Cheong also maintained, “The Grand National Party presidential candidate will be decided on the 20th and the Summit Talks were planned to be held after that. In order to negate the concerns that the talks are an opportunity for the upcoming Presidential elections, the government should include in the consultations members from the Grand National Party and their viewpoint as well.”
Further, he revealed, “Elections is elections, but the most important issue is the abandonment of North’s nuclear weapons. The dismantlement of weapons and the discussions regarding a peace system cannot help but go hand in hand, but the Summit Talks is needed so that the discussion on building a peace systme does not have a US-North Korea focus.”
One researcher of an international policy research institute, who requested anonymity, forecasted that it is difficult to produce a specific result regarding improving North-South Korean relations and resolving the North Korean nuclear issue with the Summit Talks taking place at this point in time.
He analyzed, “The first Summit Talks was significant because of the nature of the meeting in itself, but this talks, though it should produce specific results, will stop at ‘regularized talks’ or ‘confirming North Korea’s will in resolving its nuclear issues.’”
Simultaneously, he said that a “declaration of the cease of hostilities” or “a declaration of peace” can be introduced at the Summit Talks, but the North’s position is to cooperate with the US regarding a peace regime, so it will be difficult to have an effective binding agreement at the talks.”
In regards to the backdrop for which North used to accept the talks, he pointed out, “Our government probably promised to give them a “gift package” and according to President Roh’s personality, as much cash as the enforced by special prosecutors in regards to the 1st-round of Summit Talks cannot be given, so it is feasible that a gift package for expanding North-South economic business will be offered.”
Also, he said, “In the midst of a situation where there is not too much time left in President Roh’s reign, holding Summit Talks will not be easily persuasive. The intent to coincide with and ride the wave of the Grand National Party Presidential candidate election can be seen. I do not know how much of an effect this can have on the Presidential elections, but this issue can appeal to the middle-class who has not yet decided on a candidate to back.”
