'Olympics will change NK's mindset'
Moon’s adviser raises hopeful voice in Paris
By Lee Min-hyung
Moon Chung-in
The upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics will pave the way for meaningful change in North Korea and enhanced inter-Korean relations, according to a security adviser for President Moon Jae-in.
“The South Korean government views the Olympics as a stepping stone to build peace and trust with North Korea, offering the regime a chance to show global society it is a normal country,” Moon Chung-in, special adviser to the President, said in a speech at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, Monday (local time in Paris).
The remark came at a time when the Moon administration comes under criticism for giving Pyongyang a free ride to the Olympics. Points of contention include a decision to form a joint women’s ice hockey team, which blocks at least three South Korean players from entering the final 22-member squad.
This has made global headlines, sparking controversy that the PyeongChang Olympics is on track to turn into the “Pyongyang Olympics,” as the North steals much of the limelight away from the host country.
But the special adviser, who is also serving as an honorary politics professor at Yonsei University, said the reconciliatory gesture from Seoul is worth trying, as it can help change the behavior and mindset of the Kim Jong-un regime.
This is in line with the stance of the President who believes such an engagement can play a critical role in changing the regime’s provocative behavior in a peaceful way, according to the professor.
“Joint ski training at Masikryong ski resort in the North is also one way to build inter-Korean trust,” he said. “The engagement activities are drawing criticism in Seoul, with conservative parties claiming Pyongyang is making ill use of the favors to promote its propaganda.”
“I am aware of the controversy, particularly coming from South Korea and the United States, that North Korea is taking political advantage of the Olympics to glorify the regime,” he said. “If the North has any ill intention, we can let them do that, as we can take bigger advantage of the sports diplomacy with the North.”
President Moon believes Seoul should stop playing zero-sum games with Pyongyang, and instead focus on creating positive momentum through a win-win strategy for both sides, the adviser added.
Despite the recent thaw in inter-Korean relations, Pyongyang is still stepping up its provocative rhetoric against Seoul in a string of political and defense issues.
They include the planned resumption of the South Korea-U.S. joint military drill after the closing of the PyeongChang Paralympics in March. The North demanded they permanently stop holding the military exercise for Seoul and Pyongyang to continue peaceful relations.
Last week, Pyongyang changed its national holiday celebrating the foundation of its armed forces to the eve of the start of the Olympics, in an apparent show of strength. The regime will possibly hold a large-scale military parade on Feb. 8, adding tension to the recent thaw in inter-Korean relations.
“North Korea will provoke again once South Korea and the U.S. hold their joint drill in April and Ulchi-Focus Lens military exercise in August,” he said.
“The key lies in how to handle possible provocations. The Moon administration still faces a series of challenges in his North Korea policies.”
The President should come up with proper ways to deal with criticism from local conservative bodies and Washington’s political circles which are strongly against the North Korean regime, he noted.