[imText1]As North Korea continues the launching of missiles, the view that North Korean policies need to be reviewed is gaining ground.

Despite North Korea’s unilateral decisions to cancel both it’s declaration of nuclear possessions, and the test-run railroad between North and South Korea, the South Korean government has continued to support the North. The government has stood by the decision by saying that the only way to induce change in North Korea is through peaceful collaboration.

Some have commented that the launch of missiles is a result of North Korea completely ignoring the South Korean government and that this past launch is another blow to voluntary change and foreign obligations in the North.

On the 5th, the day of the missile launch, the government said “North Korea policy will not continue as before,” implying that changes will be made to North-South relations. However, the following day, the Minister of National Unification, Lee Jong Suck, suggested during cabinet talks that the overall policy between the North-South should continue without deliberation.

The day of the missile launch, New Right organizations commented that “For a while the government focused it’s policy on the North, for the benefit of North Korea” and urged that “The government failed its North Korea policy, illustrated by the missile incident, and should commence an overall review of policy”.

On the 6th, Choi Jae Cheon, a member of the Uri Party, wrote on the party homepage “Foriegn Security Affairs Minister, Lee Jong Suck, should take full responsibility for current policy troubles. For the past 3 years, there has been a need for complete reform of foreign security policy”.

Launch of North Korean missiles, Evidence of failure of South Korea’s policy to the North

Professor Woo Seung Ji of Kyunghee University, said “The problem with the North Korea policy is that the government has no lever to control the actions of North Korea, who continually launches missiles and betrays trust”. He analyzed that “Facing resilient opposition from the North, effective talks with North Korea have been lacking”.

Professor Kim Tae Hyo of Sung Kyun Kwan University also said “The government has made the erroneous assumption that if they support the North, then North Korea will follow the South”. He asserted that “A fundamental rule must be established that support will only be given when North Korea demonstrates a change in attitude”.

Policy Director of Citizens United for Better Society, Hong Jin Pyo, pointed out “This is ultimately the result of the current government persisting in the belief that it can change North Korea through financial support. In regards to North Korea’s behavior, a strong policy condemning North Korean actions is necessary.”

Despite increasing requests to alter North Korea policy, the government does not seem to be reviewing its standpoint.

Professor Yoo Ho Yeol of Korea University explained “Through this missile incident, it will be fortunate if the government reviews the North Korea policy, however, the government is in a difficult position and it seems that there is little they can do.”

Professor Woo also explained “The government states that it has been provoked by the North Korean military, but will not modify the basis of its North Korea policy. As the foreign security team of the current government believes that a peace building policy is necessary, it is unlikely that the North Korea policy will be easily altered”.

A researcher from a goverment agency, who wished to remain anonymous, asserted “The Roh Moo Hyun government will aim to recover a unified policy, bring results through rebuilding of the failed economic policy and the growing gap between rich and poor. As reconciliation through basic support for the North is highly valued, it will not be easily simply due to the missile launches”.