Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Dialogue key to breakthrough
People watch breaking news at Seoul Station about the resumption of inter-Korean talks, Sunday. After 10-hours of negotiations to try and settle intensifying military tension ended fruitlessly Saturday, four high-level officials from the two sides restarted dialogue the following day. / Yonhap
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
Dialogue is the only way to find a breakthrough in frozen Seoul-Pyongyang ties, but finding the means to do this remains elusive, analysts said Sunday.
“The two Koreas abruptly held high-level talks this time because they realized any further military conflict would only damage both sides,” said Park Young-ho, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification.
Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, said, “Both Koreas should have learned that they were both losers in their latest clash and they can only improve their relationship through dialogue.”
For Pyongyang, it failed to forcibly convince Seoul to halt broadcasting propaganda from the South Korean side of the demilitarized zone (DMZ).
North Korea is believed to fear that such propaganda could reveal the truth about the reclusive regime to its brainwashed people. The South Korean military resumed broadcasting for the first time since 2004 in response to North Korea’s landmine attack on Aug. 4.
“The incidents show that inter-Korean tensions can reach new heights in the future as long as the two sides try to settle conflict through shows of force,” said Kim Yong-hyun, a professor of North Korea Studies at Dongguk University.
Political observers are divided over whether South Korea should focus on “opening a grand path” to improve inter-Korean relations.
The term, “a grand path,” was coined by North Korea’s No. 2 man Hwang Pyong-so in October when he led Pyongyang’s 11-member delegation to the Incheon Asian Games and met National Security Office chief Kim Kwan-jin.
Back then, South Korean officials interpreted Hwang’s expression as a need for an inter-Korean summit.
Prof. Kim said that President Park Geun-hye should take Hwang’s suggestion into consideration positively instead of concentrating on inter-Korean exchanges in civic affairs, environment and culture under her “Dresden Initiative.”
In a speech during her March 2014 visit to Dresden, Germany, Park said such exchanges would establish the groundwork for co-prosperity and integration on the Korean Peninsula.
“I’m aware of the fact Park welcomed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s proposal to hold a summit in a New Year’s address. But considering the little progress that has been made since then, the government should step up efforts to hold a summit.”
Kim Heung-kwang, a former North Korean defector, echoed a similar view. He currently leads North Korea Intellectuals Solidarity, an anti-Pyongyang group in Seoul.
“The two Koreas need something that can elevate their relations to the next level quickly and a summit could serve such purpose.”
Yang disagreed, saying Seoul needs to test the water and see if Pyongyang is willing to engage in dialogue in a sincere and consistent manner.
“The Koreas held summits twice in 2000 and 2007 but North Korea’s saber-rattling has been ceaseless.
“We should negotiate with the North and see if it is willing to accept our repeated proposals to hold a reunion among separated families across the border. In return, we may consider resuming the suspended tour program to North Korea’s Mount Geumgang.”
Park Young-ho agreed.
“It would make more sense to say that settling easy tasks first can be helpful in taking inter-Korean relations to the next level.”