The South Korean government has proposed “final talks” on the future of the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Minister of Unification Ryoo Kihl Jae issued the proposal in a statement released yesterday.
The statement also contained information on plans for humanitarian assistance to North Korea.
In the statement, Minister Ryoo voiced the hope that North Korea will offer a clear answer on recurrence prevention policy, but noted that “if this is not the case, then the government will inevitably have to take a huge decision in order to avoid even greater psychological and material harm to our companies.”
“I will propose talks to North Korea tomorrow via the Panmunjom channel,” Ryoo explained, adding that the intended level of the talks would be similar to those of the sixth round of working-level talks that ended so acrimoniously last week.
“While respecting our partner, it is our government’s firm will to forge a principled and developmental inter-Korean relationship,” he declared.
At the same time, Ryoo revealed that the government intends to accept applications from five private organizations to give aid to North Korea, and will also provide direct assistance to UNICEF. “Our government will push forward with humanitarian assistance for North Korea’s vulnerable groups, including infants, separate from political problems,” he said.
However, Professor Yang Mu Jin of the University of North Korean Studies has criticized the government’s stance. In a commentary piece carried by the liberal Kyunghyang Shinmun this morning, Professor Yang noted, “Putting pressure on North Korea while talking about humanitarian aid is only going to incite them even more,” before adding that North Korea will probably reject the proposal.
Rather, Yang claimed, “At this stage the realistic answer is to resolve the issue of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, Mt. Geumgang [tours] and separated family reunions all at once.”
