DP leader calls for shift in gov’t policy toward NK

By Park Si-soo

Rep. Sohn Hank-kyu, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) Thursday called on the Lee Myung-bak administration to make a shift in its North Korea policy.

In a parliamentary speech, Sohn also said his party will maintain the policy of engaging North Korea in dialogue to defuse high tensions in inter-Korean relations.

“We urge President Lee to depart from a hard-line approach toward North Korea,” he said. Sohn also asked the government to “immediately stop” the move to introduce a unification tax, saying it puts a chill on relations between the two Koreas.

“We will keep pursuing inter-Korean dialogue to secure reconciliation, cooperation and peace,” Sohn said. “We cannot change a reclusive state with further isolation and pressure. This is what has been proven in world history. The Lee Myung-bak government has reconfirmed it as well.”

He said his party will engage in talks with the North consistently to “pave the way for the reunification.” Sohn said the peaceful relationship with North Korea is pivotal to secure further economic development of South Korea.

“President Lee recently reached an agreement with Russia for a project which is very important for the Korean economy,” he said, referring to a project aimed at making a trans-Siberia gas pipeline linking the two Koreas. “This project is critical for stable energy supply. In order for the project to progress smoothly, peaceful inter-Korean ties are critical.”

The government has worked on details to establish a fund for a post-united Korea. It reportedly plans to raise about $50 billion over the next 10-15 years ㅡ $3-5 billion each year. The plan has drawn an angry reaction from the North and opposition parties in the South.

Sohn called for the resumption of six-party nuclear disarmament talks, expressing his wish of Korea taking a leading role in the long-stalled dialogue.

South Korea’s chief nuclear envoy traveled to the United States early this week after North Korea’s latest announcement that it was ready to resume the talks. But U.S. officials said it has seen no signs yet that North Korea is prepared to meet the preconditions for resuming the talks.