By Jane Han
Staff Reporter
Among many ambitions that surfaced after last week's inter-Korean summit, plans for the West Sea's rebirth from a long-time military flashpoint into a common economic bloc harmonizing business and security was brought into the spotlight. But as optimists stir up grand investment plans, critics step on the brakes.
Just a day after the three-day summit, Maritime Minister Kang Moo-hyun told reporters Friday that by 2015 about 220 billion won will be spent to make various developments in the port area of Haeju, about 75 kilometers northwest of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex.
The Haeju development plan _ actively pursued by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs _ is one of the core legs of the ``West Sea Special Zone for Peace and Cooperation,'' encompassing three key parts of designating a common fishery zone, constructing a special economic zone and allowing joint use of the Han River estuary.
Additionally, civilian vessels will also be allowed passage through the maritime border for inter-Korean projects.
The underlying intention is for the economic efforts to work toward easing military tension, such as those regarding the Northern Limit Line (NLL).
As ranking officials from both sides are set to meet in November to work out the details of the roadmap, experts say a lot of discussion must be done, as the West Sea agenda involves heavy military issues that can't simply be resolved through economic measures as planned.
``Both militaries must be well-aware of the cooperative measures before the progress takes any further steps,'' said Dong Yong-seung, a research fellow of the Samsung Economic Research Institute. ``A communicative system must be established to talk over any forthcoming problems.''
As Pyongyang's military strongly declined requests to open the Haeju area in 2000, experts say the recent agreement may symbolize the reclusive soldiers' changed attitude toward receptivity, although it is too early to tell.
``That's why the process must be carefully observed for even minor happenings because all of those eventually have direct impact on the ambitious economic plans,'' said Lee Cheol-yong, a research fellow of the LG Economic Research Institute (LEGRI).
In the meantime, Minister Kang said Monday at an inter-Korean maritime cooperation seminar that improving collaborative conditions in the East Sea will also be discussed in the upcoming follow-up talks with North's counterparts.
He added that the port area developments will not add financial burden on South Korean citizens, as corporations that see money in the business will be the key investors.
Experts predict that firms in the shipbuilding and energy sectors are seen as those likely to actively pursue projects in the West Sea economic zone.