“If North Korea sincerely wants to improve inter-Korean relations and get over its economic difficulties, it should know that the key is to give up the dream of becoming a nuclear power and the policy of unifying Korea under the North Korean system and ideology,” says Hwang Jin Ha, a lawmaker with the Grand National Party (GNP).
Hwang also noted comments made in North Korea’s New Year’s Statement about “improving the people’s lives and reforming inter-Korean relations” at a GNP meeting on Tuesday, saying, “I urge the North to solve the problems between North and South through inter-Korean talks with sincerity.”
Regarding President Lee Myung Bak’s speech on the need to build a permanent channel for regular dialogue, he noted, “In 2008, South Korea suggested establishing liaison offices in Seoul and Pyongyang, and now the President has recommended it once again.”
Therefore, Hwang concluded, since both sides have confirmed their official intention to improve relations, “There is only one thing left, solving them through dialogue.”
However, he claimed, “If sincere inter-Korean dialogue is to be successful, North Korea has to implement active reform and opening.”
“Although the North reiterated ‘improving people’s lives’ in the New Year’s Statement, there were no words about reform and opening in order for economic reconstruction, which is essential for improvement of people’s lives,” he pointed out.
“North Korea has to abandon its policy of unification under its ideology and hostile attitude to South Korea if it wants sincere dialogue, aid from the South and the international community and peace treaty negotiations with the U.S.”
He said, “It is impossible to completely cease hostile relations between the U.S. and North Korea while it continues to hold nuclear weapons.”
