[Editorial] 'Roh Doctrine' needs more fine tuning

While in Mongolia, president Roh Moo-hyun revealed new elements of his North Korea policy. He was responding to a question at an informal restaurant meeting with South Koreans living in Ulan Bator, so his response seemed somewhat unprepared. Nevertheless, what he said was enough to get the attention of the Korean people and surrounding nations. Once could say he was revealing part of the "Roh Doctrine."

Of greatest note was when he said he intends to "concede a lot" to North Korea and give it organizational and material aid "without condition." It makes you want to know how far he is willing to go, and it is clearly a different approach for him to say he will offer aid without conditions. We interpret his intentions to be first to make progress in intra-Korean relations and, then, once these better relations are established, encourage a resolution to the North Korean nuclear issue. Until now, the approach has been to pursue a resolution to the nuclear issue and develop relations at the same time. The proposal to name Danchon, in North Korea, a "special natural resources zone," made during ministerial talks last month, is connected to this new approach.

Roh's offer to "meet anywhere, anytime, and discuss anything" is also a change from his prior stance. He chose not to attach the condition that there first be progress on the nuclear question, giving the impression that he understands the North's concerns about South-U.S. joint military maneuvers. Instead of having a summit after there is progress on the nuclear issue, he now essentially wants to make progress on that and other issues by having a summit sooner rather than later.

This is a realistic change of direction, because there urgently needs to be a breakthrough in the nuclear issue, given as how the six-party talks have been stalled for more than half a year. It has always been South Korea that has tried to find new ways through the deadlocks, whether with Roh's "profound proposal" last year or with other ideas brought to the table. Former president Kim Dae-jung's visit to Pyongyang next month and this new direction in North Korea policy need to be used to create synergy for progress.

North and South Korea are the biggest victims of their division, and it is right in historical terms for both to move relations forward. However, changes in North Korea policy need to be taken after elaborate evaluation, one that looks at least a few years down the road. Likewise, the methods, goals, and reasons, behind this new policy direction must be explained to the people in detail. Naturally, the president's comments must not, as the main opposition party claims, be only for campaign purposes in light of upcoming local elections.