[Editorial] Without Security, Economic Cooperation Is in Vain

The inter-Korean prime ministerial meeting starts today in Seoul to discus implementation measures for issues addressed during the October inter-Korean summit, which include the establishment of a peaceful, cooperative zone in the West Sea and infrastructure construction initiatives to enhance the accessibility of the Gaesong Industrial Complex. However, the Roh administration, which has only three months remaining in office, should restrain itself from signing agreements or making promises that can be a burden on the next government. Pending issues between the two Koreas are not simple matters that can be tackled by just one prime ministerial meeting. Rather, this meeting should be used as a tool to keep the current momentum and the critical issues should be left to be dealt with by the next government.

However, meeting agendas and the composition of a delegation give us a strong impression that the Roh administration is in a hurry. For example, critical security issues such as North Korea’s nuclear programs are not included in the list of the meeting agenda. In this context, talks are likely to be dominated by economic issues between the two Koreas, which render South Korea must give more economic aid to North Korea.

Despite the fact that the construction project of a peaceful, cooperative zone in the West Sea is one of the meeting’s agenda, military officers who are experts in this field are not included in the delegation. Regarding this, the South Korean government cited the objection of North Korea as a reason for the exclusion. This means that our government, even before the meeting has commenced, is being dragged around by North Korea.

Even though Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung said, “Military issues will be discussed during the inter-Korean defense ministerial meeting to be held on November 27,” it is quite out of the question. The defense ministerial meeting is a subordinate event of the prime ministerial meeting. Therefore, the former should precede the later. Furthermore, before making a peaceful, cooperative zone in the West Sea, Seoul has to settle military issues related to fishing areas, peaceful water zones, and the mouth of Han River. If we just promise to be cooperative in economic cooperation with Pyongyang without addressing such issues, we would get into trouble by unexpected claims that can be made by North Korea in defense ministerial meetings.

If, without showing any evidence that it makes an effort to ease tension on the Korean peninsula that is a prerequisite action for the development of inter-Korean economic cooperation, North Korea enjoys unconditional economic aid from South Korea again, the Roh administration will face strong criticism from the public as well as lose support from the next government. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo should be alert and check that South Korea is not entangled in North Korea’s strategy. Only when North Korea’s nuclear issues are addressed, can we begin to think about cooperation with North Korea.