High-Level Talks With North Possible

It was revealed on January 14 that the Ministry of Unification (MOU) is pushing ahead with a plan to hold inter-Korean summit talks to reach a breakthrough in inter-Korean relations, and plans to discuss the issue of abolishing the limitation on places South Koreans are able to visit in order to allow Korean people to visit facilities related to North Korea’s propaganda activities.

In a 13-page report titled “evaluation of 2006 inter-Korean relations and direction for North Korea policy 2007” written by the MOU last December, the MOU clearly said, “The MOU is to proceed with a plan to hold inter-Korean top-level meetings, including sending senior envoys to the North, to make a breakthrough in case of a prolonged standoff over North Korean nuclear program.”

Lee Dong-bok, former special assistant of the Agency for National Security Planning (currently National Intelligence Service) who was a chief representative for inter-Korean high-level talks in the early 1990s, said, “Reunions between top-level officials are another name for summit talks that North Korea uses.”

This shows the government is internally pressing ahead for summit talks with the North, which is contrary to the public statement by the government that, “It isn’t preparing for any summit talks though it recognizes the need for the one.”

In addition, the MOU report could be controversial as it says, “The MOU is to consider consulting fundamental issues such as abolishing the limitation on places available for Korean visitors with North Korea.” So far, the government has forbidden Koreans visiting North Korea to go to the memorial castle in Mt. Geumsu where the body of former North Korean leader Kim Il Sung is laid and to graves where first-generation revolutionaries, including the real mother of the North’s leader Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Suk, lie buried on the ground of violation of the National Security Law.

Since the 17th round of inter-Korean ministerial level meetings in December 2005, North Korea has relentlessly demanded that the two sides resolve fundamental problems such as restricting places Korean visitors are allowed to go to, abolishing the National Security Law and redemarcating the Northern Limit Line (NLL) on the West Sea.

Besides, the MOU chose in 2007 five major agendas in policy toward North Korea in its report. They include the peace process on the Korean peninsula, reconciliation and cooperation, enhancing trust between the two Koreas, inter-Korean economic cooperation and consolidating the foundation of its North Korea policy. In particular, the report remarked that in order to form the forum for peace regime early on, Korea would first discuss the matter with U.S. and China if the North doesn’t show any response to its plan.

It was said that Unification Minister Lee Jae-jeong has yet to comment whether or not he would act on the report proposals, though he was briefed on the issue. The MOU stated that the report was working-level and is its internal reference material, but that it was not included in a new year report the president was briefed on on January 10.

taewon_ha@donga.com