Unification Minister faces heat over canceled train run

Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok facing trouble by a sudden cancellation of a test run

He had been optimistic about North’s cooperation

At a press conference May 18, Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok mentioned former president Kim Dae Jung’s desire to travel by train to the North Korean capital. On the same day, he said he anticipated the North Korean military authorities would sign an agreement guaranteeing the safety of passengers traveling on the rail line through the North.

However, with the military agreement never signed, and with test runs on the two railway lines crossing the inter-Korean border cancelled one day before scheduled, Minister Lee will have to bear the brunt of the aftermath. As North Korea has suddenly changed its mind, the South Korean public may turn its back on future projects with the North. Such a situation will certainly complicate planning for inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation. Minister Lee’s judgment and execution of policy are also expected to face criticism.

Probably considering such consequences, Minister Lee, who often makes public remarks about important matters, has so far restrained from mentioning the failed test runs. Since his inauguration, Minister Lee, through frequent public lectures and interviews under the motto of "closer to the people," has tried to retain a positive atmosphere surrounding North-South reconciliation. He has also been forthcoming on issues sensitive to the North, such as repatriating surviving prisoners of war and granting asylum to North Korean defectors.

With roughly 100 days behind him as unification minister, this most recent reversal by the North is expected to seriously test Mr. Lee’s ability to manage crises.