Considering the Elimination of the Expression `Primary Enemy` For NK

The National Defense Ministry set for review on the measures to amend or eliminate the expression `North Korea is the Primary enemy` in its White Paper, which has instigated severe protests from the North and therefore has been a stumbling block for the improvement of the Inter-Korean relationship.

However, since the Ministry has publicly reiterated that it would not change the expression, saying “[the Ministry] is not considering of changing the concept of primary enemy,” the opposition parties and conservative circles are likely to oppose the amendment or cancellation.

A government official said, “considering the security situation in the transferring period for the era of Inter-Korean reconciliation, the government is seriously discussing whether we should the expression, primary enemy, which is a by-product of the Cold War, in the Defense Ministry`s White Paper. The government will decide whether to eliminate the expression or replace it with other expression at the National Security Council.”

The official added, “Both government should sign on the Military Security Agreement to proceed the construction to connect the Kyong-Ui railroad soon. However, it would face protests from the North Korean Military if we maintain the term in the White Paper, eventually delaying the construction. By maintaining the expression, we will lose more than what we gain.”

Therefore, the Defense Ministry set for the overall review on the purpose of the ROK Military in the White Paper including the phrase, “the primary enemy is North Korea.¡° the Defense Ministry will have a National Security Council organizational committee for the revision of the expression, participated by vice Ministers of related Ministries and a meeting of related experts to discuss this issue and to collect public opinions.

The expression, `primary enemy,` is likely to be changed as `enemy,` which was used before 1995, or more moderate expressions such as “invasion from outside” or “power threatening our security.”

Previously, Lim Dong-Won, special aide to the President for diplomacy and unification, hinted the necessity for the revision of the expression, saying “asserting the hostile relationship won`t be helpful for any progress.”

The government official expected a protest from the North when the term primary enemy is described in the White Paper again, cooling down the recent thawing mood between the two Koreas. Since the concept of the primary enemy won`t be disappeared, the defense posture of the Korean Military will never change even after the elimination of the expression.¡°

Dong-Ki Sung esprit@donga.com