On November 23, 2010, North Korea (DPRK) fired dozens of artillery shells and rockets at the South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island, about 12km away from its coast. This attack resulted in four deaths and 26 injuries. Casualties were both civilian and military. South Korea (ROK) fired back, and the Korean Peninsula was placed in a precarious war-like situation. In August this year, North Korean soldiers sneaked across the heavily guarded border, the Demilitarized Zone, and planted landmines. Two soldiers from South Korea were maimed after stepping on them. These are just a few examples of North Korea’s military provocations against South Korea throughout the years.
North Korea has also carried out nuclear tests three times since 2006, a great concern for the international community. North Korea has also launched long-range missiles including underwater test-fire of a submarine ballistic missile, which has been escalating tensions in the Korean Peninsula. In this strategy of brinkmanship, the North has outmaneuvered Western powers for the last 25 years by increasing tensions through violent acts. This is aimed at protecting its vulnerable regime. The United Nations has condemned North Korea’s actions by passing UN Security Council resolutions, yet the North has continued.
We hope that the people of T&T pay special attention and provide support to the endeavour made by the Korean people and government to fix the tensions through dialogue and co-operation with the north.
The talking has continued despite the provocations. After the landmine blasts in August, North and South Korea reached an inter-Korean accord. In October the countries facilitated the reunification of families who were forced to separate during the Korean War of 1950-1953.That was one outcome of the accords. In addition, the Kaesong Industrial Complex, a joint venture of two Koreas established in 2004, is a perfect combination of the South’s capital and technology and the North’s labour. More than 50,000 North Koreans work in the Complex.
Besides this, the two Koreas have been discussing building a railroad across the Korean Peninsula, regularising reunion of separated families, resuming tourism ventures, and creating an eco-peace park in the DMZ. It’s not been free of trouble but at least we continue to talk. At the recent G-20 Summit held in November, President Park Geun-Hye announced that “if North Korea decides to denuclearize and move towards the open market system and is willing to cooperate, South Korea plans to gather assistance from international society and provide $63 billion in investment for North Korea’s infrastructure development plan.” Meanwhile, details of a visit to the North by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, a South Korean, are under negotiation between the UN and Pyongyang. One of the aims would be to address the North Korea’s nuclear problem.
The Korean Peninsula is still divided, a legacy of the Cold War. Reunification would bring an opportunity for peace and prosperity not only to the two Koreas, but to the neighbouring countries and the world. To realise this dream, the Korean Government maintains two policies. One, tighten the security set-up against any military provocation from North Korea. Two, lay foundations for reunifications through regular dialogue and co-operative exchanges with North Korea.
Open Forum is a new space in the Sunday Guardian for contributors besides our regular columnists. Another Op-Ed writer will sound off next week.
