ed Vision for economic union

Main opposition leader Moon Jae-in has suggested the so-called ``Korean Peninsula New Economy Map’’ plan, saying business opportunities in North Korea would be a gateway to penetrating markets in China, Russia and Japan.

At a press conference commemorating the 70th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japan Sunday, Moon, chairman of the largest opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy, said forming an economic community with Pyongyang would enable Seoul to reach 80 million consumers and boost per capita income to $30,000.

He also proposed an earlier resumption of the six-party denuclearization talks and urged the Seoul government to lift the May 24 sanctions it imposed on Pyongyang in 2010.

Moon’s economy-centric approach toward the reclusive North is worth noting, given that it envisions breaking through the stalled inter-Korean relationship by seeking cooperation on economic issues first. This is all the more so, considering that President Park Geun-hye disappointed many in her Aug. 15 Liberation Day speech by failing to suggest epoch-making solutions that could reverse the inter-Korean stalemate.

One can acknowledge Moon’s sincerity and aspiration for inter-Korean rapprochement, taking into account that he was presidential chief of staff in the liberal Roh Moo-hyun administration. But he must know that there is acute criticism in the political arena that his speech was nothing more than an empty declaration of his vision for taking power in the 2017 presidential election.

In fact, few seem to believe that his ideas will be translated into action, aside from the fact that he is just taking the helm of the main opposition party. Of course, his vision for inter-Korean economic projects deserves credit. More than anything, it would be good if our potential economic growth rate bounces back to 5 percent and our youth jobless problem eases, as he suggested.

But it is also true that one cannot readily sympathize with his perception about North Korea, especially as far as political and military matters are concerned.

Moon called for lifting the May 24 sanctions, saying such measures resulted only in North Korea depending more on China. But the recalcitrant regime in Pyongyang has taken no action to Seoul’s demand for an apology for its alleged torpedoing of the South Korean warship Cheonan in 2010.

The same can be said of the now-stalled six-party talks, given that the North has consistently pursued nuclear armament even while engaging in the denuclearization talks since 2003.

Under these circumstances, one cannot but wonder if Moon’s unilateral appeasement policy could bring changes to the isolationist state. Moon, as one of the nation’s strong and responsible presidential contenders, should suggest feasible North Korea policies that he could adopt without reservation even after being elected as head of state.