By Han Wan-sang
President of Korean Red Cross (KRC)

There are several key points that must be met before the second inter-Korean summit can be lauded as marking true progress in the ties between the two Koreas.

I would like to point to the historical importance of these agendas and how they could open a whole new door to inter-Korean relations, provided the right conditions are met.

First, if the leaders of the two Koreas agree to regularize inter-Korean summits that would help regularize other high level inter-Korean meetings. Such meetings would help the two Koreas reach an early form of federation.

Although talk of forming a kind of federation between the two Koreas began to be heard as early as 2000 during the first inter-Korean summit, not a single step has been taken to further that discussion.

If the two Koreas agree to regular meetings, that would have a big impact on governmental exchanges, especially in areas of economy, defense and foreign affairs.

The regularization of meetings would also assure consistency in unification policy regardless of the change in administration.

Second, if the two Koreas address the issue of denuclearization and reach a kind of agreement in that regard, that would be another boost to inter-Korean relations.

Up to now, North Korea has refused to discuss nuclear issues with the South. So far the North maintains that it will discuss its nuclear program only with the United States _ despite its proclamation of brotherhood with the South.

If the two summits express a strong will to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula during the meeting, it would mark the first time the North has respected the great principle of cooperation between the two Koreas.

The North's leader Kim Jong-il, in a way, has not much choice but to respect the principle of denuclearization for that was the final instruction of the late leader and founder of North Korea Kim Il-sung who also happens to be his father.

Kim could make good use of his father's words by reiterating the North's will to give up its nuclear program. Then he could proceed with the details as stipulated in the six-way talks.

Such agreements in principle, ahead of the six-party talks would prove to be a virtuous cycle for all. Further, the North would be able to secure resources needed for establishing a joint economic body with the South.

Third, the two Koreas could upgrade the quality of their economic partnership. Up till now, economic cooperation between the Koreas was largely limited to immediate aid or small-scale trade. It's high time the two states pursued a more active exchange in trade, under a mid- and long-term view.

The North's infrastructure lies in shambles, and it will take joint efforts of the government and private companies in the South to correct that.

The investment in the North would be like a kind of Marshall Plan, not only to improve the substructure of the North's economy but also to assure co-prosperity and peace in the region.

The two Koreas could clinch a deal like a free trade agreement to better confirm strong economic ties. The Koreas could use the example set by China when it regained control of Hong Kong from England.

The framework of ``one nation two systems" may also be useful to Korea. For instance the South and North can conclude a Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) for a set period of time _ 10 years maybe _ to allow remittance of investment and customs clearance under non-tariff trade.

It's the only way inter-Korean economic cooperation is possible and could open a whole new door to inter-Korean ties.

Fourth, the two Koreas must use the latest opportunity to fully address the issue of easing military tensions on the peninsula. It was an issue that failed to come up during the first summit. Even if the issue cannot be resolved through talks between the two leaders, just an official agreement, in principle, could help accelerate work on securing a solution in the long run.

The issue of the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the maritime border in the Yellow Sea which the North contests, must also be resolved peacefully through establishment of a joint fishery ground. The two sides could certainly use Provision 10 of the non-aggression agreement from the 1992 Basic Agreement.

One more thing I would like to add is the establishment of liaison offices. If such offices were set up in Seoul and Pyongyang, respectively, they could greatly ease tensions and prevent further misunderstandings rising from unexpected accidents in the future and effectively deal with the aftermath.

The office would also serve to coordinate large and small tasks that stem from various inter-Korean exchanges and cooperative ventures.

Finally I hope for a more sophisticated agreement to ease the pain felt by separated families torn apart by national division and the Cold War. The number and the size of the family meetings must be increased.

The meetings themselves should also take place on a regular basis. We must remember that time is running out for most of these people who are quite old.

Given how much North Korean children are still suffering from the inferior health system there, the two Koreas must cooperate to improve the North's medical system. That should be one of their mid- and long-term goals.

In North Korea, floods go beyond natural disasters and significantly deteriorate the country's food situation. Reforestation is the answer, and it is also for the good of the peninsula as a whole in the long run.

The authorities of the South and North must join hands in the reforestation project. Such humanitarian efforts must be free of any political or economic calculations.

If the latest inter-Korean summit succeeds in strengthening joint humanitarian efforts, this would further enhance peace on the Korean Peninsula.