[Opinion] Human Rights Advances in North Korea Part of Reunification Process

Every year, on August 15, there is a celebration for reunification. Slogans reading ``Let`s go North, Come South`` accompany a noisy advertising campaign. But when everything`s said and done, only slanders against the `anti-reunification forces`, the continuing human rights abuse and famine in the North remain. In fact, holding a reunification celebration right now is rather out of place. It`s not as if an orderly process of reunification talks is happening.

The 1990 reunification of Germany became a reality because the leaders of the Christian Democratic Union formed a unified front and successfully pushed the agenda of establishing a popular democratic government in East Germany during their first free elections held on March 18, 1990. If we are to achieve a peaceful reunification, we must respect the views of the North Korean citizens and undergo a democratic process in which the North Korean people can form their own resolutions through a free election. This is not something that should be controlled solely by the North Korean leader.

Why reunify? Because of our love for the people. Because our fellow Koreans in the North are oppressed by communism, enslaved to a cultic worship of one-man rule, and because we must overcome every obstacle that stands in the way of human rights and a life of dignity. How can we not want, with all our hearts, for our fellow North Koreans to break free from oppression and famine in order to live as free citizens?

How do we reunify? Through popular democratic elections. A representative government must be established with at least the guarantee of fundamental human rights, such as physical freedom, freedom of residence, of faith and conscience, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and association. And such a representative government must generate the constitution for reunification and establish it with the approval of the popular vote. The same goes for South Korea.

What kind of a nation must we be after reunification? Whatever system we follow, be it a new constitution born from reunification, or the present ROK constitutional system, it is clearly stated in our constitution that the system must be based on fundamental democratic principles. Unless the present North Korean ruling government stops ignoring the universal standards of human dignity and freedom belonging to every civilized society, such a constitution will not be accepted. If we truly want reunification, we must prepare for it. First, South Korean security and economy must be strong. It will be difficult for South Korea to bear the cost of reunification if we ourselves find it hard to survive economically, never mind helping to feed fellow North Koreans. Above all, we must not be complacent about maintaining the level of national security.

Around 1985, before Germany`s reunification, East Germany had a military force of 560, 000 which was comprised of 380, 000 Soviet troops and 180, 000 East German troops, while West Germany had a force of 890, 000 comprised of 246, 000 American troops and 404, 000 NATO troops. In contrast, the South Korean military is smaller than its North Korean counterpart, and South Korea has steadily decreased defense spending to 2.7 percent of the GDP, conspicuously lower than the world average of 4.1 percent.

Second, we must do all we can to advance human rights in North Korea. If a free election is ever to happen in North Korea, at the very least a society that upholds human rights must be established. Hence, whenever North Korea requests assistance, we must make negotiations that connect assistance with an increase in freedom of residence, faith, communication, and employment for the North Korean people.

Third, we must create an international environment that is conducive to the reunification process. We must maintain our alliance with the U.S. and expand the scope of partner relationship with Japan. Even if North Korea is reinforcing its friendly relations with China and Russia, we must try to help the North understand on the level of both government and people that it is in their interest to build one free and prosperous nation than creating endless problems as a delinquent state.

If we genuinely love our people, we have to prepare for reunification and come up with an adequate measure to protect North Korean refugees who have no where to run or hide. If the government or its leaders offer a lukewarm response to the refugee protection issue for the sake of placating the North Korean government, they will have betrayed their national duties and will call forth the outraged protest of 11, 800, 000 petition signers and international society.

Whatever the issue, reunification or human rights, each deserves genuine attention. Not doing so will only break the people’s trust and create further chaos.

Kim Sang Chul (Attorney at Law, Head of North Korean Refugee Action Campaign)