ed Beijing summit

Leaders must chart vision for peaceful Korea

It is a daydream to now talk about a unified Korea. In the waning years of their time in office, both Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Hu Jintao may find it difficult to chart a framework for the future of the divided Korean Peninsula. The upcoming summit in Beijing should be an occasion for the two leaders to outline a vision for a peaceful Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia.

They should not use the summit in Beijing just to exchange such abstract diplomatic pleasantries as a strategic partnership, cooperation, and friendship. China must make clear its position on the future of the divided Koreas. Does it favor or oppose unification?

Hopefully, the leaders can agree on an institutional mechanism of ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the ultimate unification.

Seoul should outline what benefits China could see from a unified Korea. China may have many lingering doubts about a unified Korea as under South Korea's terms it might deprive China of a buffer zone in its hegemonic rivalry with the United States. An alliance of Korea, Japan and the United States may be a constant irritant to the world’s second largest economy. Its open support of unification of the Koreas might alienate the North, which is now in a delicate power transition.

Seoul should persuade China into believing that a unified Korea is a benefit, not a threat to its national interest. Seoul's logic should be matched by deeds. The proposal must also be appealing to the North and the United States.

Sino-Korean relations will continue to be full of half-suspicion and half-disappointment unless they form a consensus on fundamental issues. They will continue to squabble over trifling matters. China wants to maintain the status quo in the name of stability on the divided peninsula. China will continue to stand behind North Korea and to distance itself from South Korea.

Seoul and Beijing should also send a message that the maturing Sino-Korean relations are also of practical benefit to the United States.

Their shared-vision for a peaceful and unified Korea would change the course of history in Northeast Asia. Such a declaration would receive positive evaluations later if one is made next week on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties.

President Lee will become a statesman, not a perfunctory national leader, if he puts forward a peace doctrine for the North. It is not too late for him to change his hard-line North Korea policy. China would welcome Seoul's change of mind in its North Korea policy, and use it as leverage in nudging the reclusive North Korea to behave itself.

The two leaders must not be remembered just as technical managers of the status quo. Few deny that the bilateral ties have been at a low ebb during their presidency.

The Korean Peninsula is a dormant volcano due to Seoul’s lack of initiative, and Pyongyang’s nuclear threat, China’s strategic hesitation and U.S. strategic patience.