[Editorial] Peace and Prosperity: Possible with N. Korea Sticking to Old Grooves?

Yesterday, President Roh Moo-hyun came up with a new North Korea policy named Peace and Prosperity Policy. What is indicated from the title is Roh`s intention of enhancing peace and mutual prosperity on the Korean Peninsula by applying four principles including dialog. The goal of peace and prosperity is worth trying for as a president who will take office for the next five years to come. No South Korean would not like to see a day the goal is realized.

Considering, however, the problems North Korea has posed before us, we have to worry that peace and prosperity might end up as one of those numerous hopes President Roh envisioned in his inaugural speech. At least, the theme of peace and prosperity does not feel feasible for us now. Quite a number of South Korean citizens doubt whether there will be any changes at all in our North Korea policy. President Roh has promised that he would "inherit" the Sunshine policy of Kim Dae Jung.

In order to convince the majority of South Koreans into accepting the feasibility of Roh`s peace and prosperity policy, several prerequisites have to be satisfied. First, the Roh administration has to "calmly" evaluate and reflect the current North Korea policy. Despite the historic North-South summit, numerous South Koreans have been reluctant to support Kim Dae Jung`s policy based on a giving-away and humble attitude in addressing North Korea. The Roh administration has to understand what went wrong and how to address the wrongdoing. Another urgent task to be performed is to clear out all the doubts and scandals related to Kim Dae Jung`s North Korea policy including the secret checkbook diplomacy.

Above all, North Korea must change itself first. North Korea`s nuclear standoff has become an issue of the whole international community, even getting the U.N. Security Council involved. Even in this dire situation, North Korea broke into our airspace last week by sending a jet fighter down below the Northern Limit Line. Furthermore, just on the eve of Roh`s inauguration, it fired a missile, shocking Japanese as well as Koreans. All these occurrences point out that, how excellent the envisioned policy may be, we alone cannot bring about peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.

Mr. Roh, in his inauguration address, stressed, "North Korea should decide whether to retain the nuclear weapons, or to receive promises for the safety of its regime and economic aids." Then, it is most important to lead North Korea in a way wished by the whole international community. Only then, President Roh will feel it easy and tangible to achieve peace and prosperity as envisioned by himself.