[Editorial] Mt. Kumgang Business: This Is Not the Way

It is no joke that Unification minister Hong Soon-Young said, "The government is considering changing hands on the heart of Mt. Kumgang business from Hyundai to the government itself." in his visit to United Liberal Democrats the day before yesterday. After the statement, Chong Wa Dae is trying to `explain` it, but it appears that the government`s `true intention` regarding its future North Korean policies is contained in the speech.

Minister Hong also explained, "Mt. Kumgang business started as an economic business, but actually changed into a political, and peace business. Therefore, it is intended to support Intra-Korean Cooperation Fund with peace budget."

I am not sure, then, how the government can explain its giving up on its earlier insistence on the principle of separation in politics and economy.

`Peace business` may sound ideal in pockets of our society, but it cannot be the main purpose of the government, which is responsible for analyzing the realities in the inter-Korean relations and supervise its exchange. In short, the government’s intention, perhaps, is to pay for heavy debts of a private enterprise that forced unreasonable contracts with North Korea.

Yesterday’s announcement of the supportive measures for Mt. Kumgang tourism business is actually hinting that the business has already been turned into the government’s hands. When it comes to the part where subsidies are to be provided for separated families, students, and teachers, this raises the question whether North Korea has already been informed of transferring of responsibility.

It also is confusing because Hyundai requested such measures last year, but the government refused it then.

After all, it turned out to fulfill North Korea’s demand that the government shall pay the delayed tourism compensation instead of Hyundai. It is concerning how the government will manage the `burden` that it incurred itself without consulting public opinion.

The government is striving to re-open the closed communication between the South and North, but this is certainly not the way to do it. Even if we abandon all our pride and principles to appease the North to start talking again, how long would it actually last?

All details in the relationship, including the Mt. Kumgang tourism business, must be decided based on a thorough understanding of realities and strategies rather than mere idealism. In that sense, the government is currently making a huge mistake.