South Korean officials racked their brains Sunday to brace for the Aug. 28-30 inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang in North Korea. President Roh Moo-hyun's chief aide Moon Jae-in convened a meeting to prepare for South Korea's officials' meeting with their North Korean counterparts in Gaeseong this week to discuss details of the summit including the agenda, delegation size, protocol and other matters. Among them, what topics the two leaders will discuss is most significant.
With only 15 days before the meeting, time is running out for both sides but the situation does not favor the South which has been persistently requesting the summit. With a blitzkrieg acceptance of the talks in the North's capital city, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il appears to have got the upper hand over Roh.
There is speculation that the South Korean government has been preparing a package of gifts including economic assistance to the North to ensure the success of the second inter-Korean summit. Some express concern over possible ``backroom dealings'' while others cite North Korea's possible raising the issue of the Korea-U.S. Ulji Focus Lens joint military exercise, which will be held during the summit.
Lawmakers belonging to the National Assembly's Unification and Foreign Affairs Committee are engaged in hot debate over the possible inappropriate deal with some alleging the South will provide the North with $20 billion worth assistance for construction of infrastructure facilities in the impoverished North. If this allegation is true, Cheong Wa Dae needs to get approval from the National Assembly as such assistance would be a huge burden on taxpayers. Should Roh agree to the gigantic project without considering the need for Assembly endorsement, this will no doubt trigger discord in the political sector and the dispute will become ever more serious ahead of the upcoming presidential elections in December.
Roh needs to be reminded that the United States is apprehensive about the possible large-size economic program which would have the effect of weakening the U.S.-initiated economic sanctions against the reclusive nation. So he needs to persuade Kim on the need to act reciprocally to get such financial assistance by faithfully abiding by the North's promise to dismantle its nuclear facilities. With this, Roh will be able to avoid possible conflict with the United States.
Working-level officials will likely discuss the issue of the realignment of the Northern Limit Line in the West Sea as the North has requested. But both sides need to cautiously address the matter that can bring about a disastrous outcome if it is put on the table at the meeting and the leaders fail to narrow differences in opinion. Given this background, the preparatory committee members need to come up with wise solutions to prevent an even worse scenario.
Concerning the military exercise, South Korea needs to closely consult with the United States based on mutual confidence in order not to undermine the ROK-U.S. alliance. The United States, for its part, is asked to fully consider the South's position to help ensure a successful summit outcome.