Pres. Lee Urges Resumption of Inter-Korean Dialogue

President Lee Myung-bak expressed Friday his willingness to engage in serious talks with North Korea on how to follow through past agreements reached between the two Koreas, including the July 4 Joint Declaration, the Basic Agreement, the Joint Declaration of the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration, and the October 4 Summit Declaration.

In a congratulatory address to the opening session of the 18th National Assembly, Lee said, “While placing the top priority of North Korea policy on the denuclearization of North Korea, we will seek mutual benefits and co-prosperity of the two Koreas.”

“Inter-Korean dialogue should resume across the board. To achieve complete denuclearization of the North, I will do my utmost along with related countries participating in the six-party talks,” Lee added.

Lee also proposed inter-Korean humanitarian cooperation, saying, “Repatriation of POWs and reunions of separated families are the two Koreas’ ethical responsibilities.”

Lee’s suggestion to resume inter-Korean dialogue indicates the current administration’s policy shift to resolve the impasse in inter-Korean relations, according to experts. The relationship between the two Koreas has turned sour since the inauguration of the Lee administration due to the president’s hard-line attitude toward North Korea.

On economic issues, Lee said, “We are now facing a very difficult situation. It’s like we are sailing against the current in a river. If we do nothing, the flowing force of ‘high oil prices’ will capsize us. It’s time for us to make a united effort to tide over this situation.”

Regarding the reform of state-run organizations, Lee stressed, “The public sector should be urgently revamped. The majority of people also want reform and change in the public sector.”

“If some state-owned companies are expected to be run well in private hands, they should be handed over to the private sector. Those areas, such as electricity, water, and health insurance that cannot be controlled by the private sector, must make their management efficient.”

Referring to the beef issue, Lee said, “I have learned a lot from the beef issue. I realized that for successful policy implementation, the government should always keep in line with the people though it takes some time … I will carefully listen to the people and put priority on winning over the public’s trust, while keeping the rule of law.”

After Lee’s address, newly-elected National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyung-oh presided over the first plenary session and passed a resolution that urges Japan to stop laying claim to the Dokdo islets.

swpark@donga.com