By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter
President-elect Lee Myung-bak will divide the economic cooperation agreements reached at the inter-Korean summit last October into four categories according to implementation feasibility, Lee's North Korea advisor said Wednesday.
``It is hard to say whether or not the next government will implement all the inter-Korean economic cooperation projects (agreed at the summit),'' Nam Sung-wook, a professor of Korea University in Seoul, said in a radio interview.
``Probably, the new government will classify the agreements into four groups of which some will be immediately implemented and others will be deferred until North Korea makes progress on its nuclear programs,'' Nam said.
For example, money-consuming projects such as the reconnection of inter-Korean railways and improvement of railways and roads in North Korea will be implemented in accordance with progress on the nuclear issue, he added.
It is the first time that Lee's North Korea advisor has unveiled a detailed plan on the implementation of agreed inter-Korean economic projects. Lee has just reiterated that he will reconsider the projects.
Nam's remarks seem to have come in response to North Korea's New Year message Tuesday that inter-Korean summit accords on economic cooperation should be implemented on schedule under the incoming administration.
However, the North refrained from commenting on President-elect Lee and his North Korea policy, which prioritizes the North's nuclear disarmament before aid.
Given that Pyongyang failed to keep its promise of declaring all its nuclear weapons programs by the year-end, Nam thinks unconditional implementation of inter-Korean economic projects will not be helpful for ending the nuclear standoff.
``North Korea seems to be very concerned that the Lee government may not realize all 190 agreements it concluded with the Roh Moo-hyun administration,'' Nam said.
Meanwhile, he again called on North Korea to send a high-level delegate to Lee's inauguration on Feb. 25.
``Personally, I think it would be a very good opportunity for inter-Korean relations if a North Korean official attends the inauguration,'' he said. ``However, the presidential transition team has not discussed the attendance yet.''
Lastly, he said the Unification Ministry should remain intact, though the transition committee has considered downsizing or abolishing the ministry.
``It is logical that the incoming government, which aims at unifying the Korean Peninsula, keeps the Unification Ministry,'' he said.
Apparently mindful of the possible abolishment of the ministry, Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung also said it is very important to maintain consistency in North Korea policy and to implement the inter-Korean accords.
Based on a smaller government plan, President-elect Lee ordered his transition team to review how to reorganize the administration's structure for better efficiency.
The team members said some ministries in charge of unification, education and gender equality will likely be downsized or abolished.