The intra-Korean ministerial-level talks that began after much difficult have come to a close after a full four days. While they did not produce any sure results, they were significant in that further steps forward were taken than in the course of the last round in December of last year. It is also encouraging that it was agreed former president Kim Dae Jung will visit Pyongyang in June.
Of the greatest note is that both sides agreed to work to resolve the issue of unrepatriated South Korean POW's and South Koreans kidnapped by the North since the Korean War ended and that it was part of the joint statement. The foundations for resolving the issue have been set. Pyongyang still reels from giving Japan material for going on the offensive against it, when during the course of negotiations with Japan on establishing diplomatic relations it admitted to kidnapping Japanese citizens. Because of that, it would seem more realistically appropriate to link economic aid and the repatriation of long-term North Korean prisoners in the South than to press hard on the North to just return them. The North should make the right decision, with the attitude that it is resolving its past and making new history.
Also noteworthy were proposals by Unification Minister Lee Jong Seok' about a "joint natural resources development zone" and joint use of the mouth to the Han River. The potential area for the development zone is Dancheon in the North's South Hamgyeong province, believed to have the richest magnesite deposits in the world. If the project takes off, it will mean intra-Korean economic cooperation, long focused mainly on Gaeseong and tourism at Mount Geumgang, will be elevated to a higher level, namely the joint development of resources. The mouth of the Han River is an important military area, so its joint use will be a step on the way to establishing a peace regime on the peninsula. One hopes to see the North respond favorably.
The North was more pragmatic at these talks than previously. It was less stubborn about resolving the so-called "fundamental issues." It needs to take the same approach to the six party talks. There will be limits to how much progress can be made in intra-Korean relations unless there is progress on the nuclear issue. We hope the North uses these latest talks as a stepping-stone to resuming the six party process.
The Hankyoreh, 25 April 2006.
[Translations by Seoul Selection]
[Editorial] Progress At Intra-Korean Ministerial Talks |
