North Korea and South Korea after the Korean war.

Two Paths

"In our hearts, I think we have already achieved reunification." Kim Bok Young, a clothing retailer in Seoul.1 As a new generation is born and raised that has forgotten the Korean War, the vast majority of Koreans want reunification of the Korean peninsula. The collective group called “Koreans” is a people that were dramatically and carelessly ripped into two states. With families and friends on each side of the border, there is a cry for help on each side. Unfortunately the governments of these two states have differences that separate a common people. Although, there is hope for the spilt nation of Korea. Many are working for the common goal of uniting the people of Korea into a single state. North Korea and South Korea have made significant strides towards unification despite obstacles and set backs.

The division of Korea happened in 1945 when single country was split in two and sent on two very different paths. It is important to note that the Korean peninsula has been separated by different kingdoms through history, but the differences were small compared to the recent differences among Korea today. Currently North Korea is a very poor suffering communist state, while the South is a growing economic tiger that has successfully adopted capitalism.

The two paths started to unfold late during World War II. While the allies drove the Japanese forces from Korea, the Soviet Union, an ally at the time, was in position to occupy the northern portion of Korea. Since the Soviets were already in position, the United States unfortunately allowed them to occupy the northern half. The line between the occupants was established at the 38th parallel. During this occupation the United Nations intended to oversee the elections of North Korea in 1948, but the Soviets did not allow them to. The Communist saw the opportunity of a buffer zone between them and the United States and North Korea was the answer. The Soviets placed Kim Il-Song, a Mao Ze-dong pretege, into the seat of power. Pyongyang took a strong communism stance thus allowing the Soviets to have a buffer zone with the more capitalistic South Korea.2

In June 1950, one year after the American troops left, the North attacked the unprepared South. With the help of the Soviets and China the North was easily able to take virtually the entire peninsula. South Korea requested for assistance from the United Nations. In a few days the UN sent many troops from 19 countries under the able control of Douglas Macarthur. Macarthur was quickly able to take back the southern portion of the peninsula by October and even started to move into the North. China took action and sent thousands of troops which drove Macarthur back into the South. Luckily Macarthur was able to take back Seoul, South Koreas Capital.3

Knowing the potential outcomes of further confrontation the North and the South agreed to cease fire and created the “Demilitarized Zone" also known as the DMZ. Ironically, with over a half a million Korean deaths, the established DMZ is close the original 38th parallel agreement. Since then neither side has officially declared peace, they are both still formally at war. 4

From here North and South Korea continued on two different paths of foreign relations. Both nations relied on foreign allies for military security. Although the North had agreements with China and the Soviet Union, and they did not support further military conflict. Neither nation wanted to support another Korean War. Therefore in the 1960's Kim Il Sung persuaded the ideology of "Juche", which is a self sufficient, military, and isolationist state without dependence of an outside power. The South also had strong allies, but do to geography had to rely on its own for security for immediate threats. Therefore the South too also became more militarily mindful and defensively ready after the Korean War ended.5

It was not until 1971 the first, however brief, formal talks of reunification begins. In August the two states speak through the Red Cross as an itermederiary to reunite families.6 Although the talks have nothing to do with reuniting the two states into one nation, but it is symbolic and shows cooperation from both sides of the DMZ. After successfully reuniting families, on July 4th 1972 officials from the ROC and DPRK exchanged visits and agreed to work towards a peaceful reunification. They both agreed unification will only come peacefully and independently with no out interference from other nations. The ...

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The hopes of unification faded some when South Korea's president announced that the ROK will seek separate entry into the United Nations. This along with the kidnapping of Kim Dae-Jung by the ROK intelligence service severd contact between the North and South until 1984.8 However, in 1984 when the South Korean experience tremendous flooding the North offered flood relief, igniting the flame of unification once more. After 15 years with help from the Red Cross once again families were united once more in 1985. This also resumed talks about trade and economic issues.9

These steps towards unification take a step back after the North suspended all talks with the ROC in 1986, arguing that "the annual U.S.-South Korea military exercise was inconsistent with dialogue."10 Another set back was the in-flight bombing of a Korean passenger Jet in 1987. The South Korean government attributes this attack to the North Korean agents.11 Both of these events did impact trust and intention on both sides of the DMZ.

After this inter-Korean turbulence, the next step toward unification did not become clear until 1988. ROC President Roh Tae Woo set out an initiative to further inter-Korean trade and reunite families in his speech to the United Nation. Therefore in November, after the ROK loosened the restrictions, the Inter-Korean trade rises dramatically. Enlighten of this, the next year the Soviets even open a trade mission in Seoul. United States even started non-official talks with the DPRK in late 1988.12 These advancements lead to the first of eight meetings between the ROC and the DPRK took place in Seoul In September 1990. These prime ministerial talks became fruitful and initiated the "Basic Agreement" and the "Joint Declaration"13

The North and South signed this landmark agreement called the Basic Agreement in late 1991. Both the ROC and the DPRK promised "reconciliation, nonaggression, exchanges and cooperation, and the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula"14 The agreement set up four commissions to deal with each issue. Unfortunately all of this progress was halted in Fall of 1992 when the South became suspicious of the North’s nuclear intentions.15

The Joint Declaration was intended for both sides to become and stay completely nuclear free. Also, inspections would be held by the North-South Joint Nuclear Control Commission (JNCC). This was a great step in the right direction to ease the tension and fear between the two countries and neighboring nations. Unfortunately, the North did not allow the JNCC to inspect two suspected nuclear waste sites in late 1992. Therefore in 1993 the United States directly spoke with the DPRK about the situation by sending Jimmy Carter.16

Former President Carter helped resolve the issue by making a "good will" visit to Pyongyang. Surprising many, Kim Il Sung agreed to work with the US and the ROC to come to a solution on this issue. Unfortunately he died of natural causes and the country formally mourned for their "Great Leader." His son, Kim Jong-Il took the informal throne of his father shortly after his death. After this transition the DPRK singed the Agreed Framework. The agreement was for the North to dismantle its nuclear reactors in exchange for oil and receive help building two light-water reactors. This seemed like real progress was being made to lighten the fear of nuclear arms.17

Unfortunately, in late August 1998 Kim Jong-Il test fired an intermediate-range missile over Japanese airspace and landed 1,380 km from North Korean coast. Testing this missile not only damaged relations with the Japan but with also the United states.18 Hong Soon-young stated in his article Thawing Korea's Cold War that "This sent a clear message to the world: that the North intended to remain not only a maverick communist holdout, but a muscular one, with regional military power." These actions go against the will and hopes of Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington, the hands that are literally feeding them. Although, some people such as Hong Soon-young believe Pyongyang has adopted a policy of "threats and blackmail" as means of survival.19

While the North tries to survive, the South is reaching out to help the impoverished neighbor. Many believe the North will fall in the long term or will have to make dramatic changes to stay alive. It is in the interest of the South to help the North have a "soft landing."20 Kim Dae Jung understands the agreements signed in the past did not bring "practical results." He envisions a more realistic means of unification. In light of this Kim Dae Jung proposes the "Sun Shine Policy."21

The Sun Shine Policy was adopted by the South in 1998 with huge fanfare from the people of Korea. The policy has three objectives. First, the policy is aimed to not tolerate provocations from the North. The South will keep an armed force incase of adverse reaction from the North. Secondly, the South has no intention of absorbing the North. Kim Dae Jung has the hopes the North and South will peacefully and gradually walk towards unification together. Lastly, separation of economic and political cooperation. This includes the implementation of the 1991 Basic Agreement.22 This was arguably the greatest attempt thus far either side has put forth to unify the nation.

Two years later an unexpected and great announcement came from the North agreeing to talks with President Kim Dae Jung. In June 2000 the first ever, joint summit was held in Pyongyang to establish peace and a path to reunification. To Kim Dae Jung's surprise he was greeted with cheers from the crowd stepping off the plain and a state banquet was held that same day. Two days later the ROK president and the DPRK leader Kim Jong Il signed the ground breaking "South-North Joint Declaration."23 In reward the United States lifted the 50 year old trade sanctions against the North. Both sides of the DMZ suspended propaganda media and begun to reunite families once more.24 For awhile it seemed like unification was obtainable and reasonable, but unfortunately some of the ground gained will be lost.

In 2002 it was confirmed the DPRK did not stop its nuclear bomb-making program, thus breaking the Agreed Framework of 1994. In reaction the Bush administration stopped oil and other supply shipments to North Korea for its defiance. The North then suspended the UN inspectors who where watching the nuclear program.25

Possibly in retaliation, President Bush in 2002 did damage relations with Korea and inter-Korea relations during his January 29th 2002 state of the union address. President Bush carelessly lumped North Korea in with the "Axis of Evil". This infuriated many Koreans on both sides including one South Korean parliamentary member who called Bush the "evil incarnate who wants to make the division of Korea permanent by branding North Korea part of the ‘axis of evil". Presidents Bush's statement also sparked anti-American protest throughout South Korea.26 Despite protest Bush visited Seoul and did not back down from his little nickname he gave the North. Although, it was not popular, when asked about Bush's comment President Kim Dae-Jung did defend Bush saying "In my view, I believe that the U.S. policy and the Korean policy are fundamentally similar and there are no major differences."27 The US has changed it's stance on the North slightly knowing the mistake it made grouping North Korea with Iraq and Iran. Although, even after this mistake the U.S. will not change it's opinion of North Korean unless the DPRK can make some significant changes, especially after the North shot a test missile in to the sea of Japan and it's continued pursuit of nuclear weapons.28

Many international critics do not see reunification on the horizon, unlike like many Koreans. Although on paper it looks as if the two Korean governments have made significant strides towards unification, many critics will point to the failures, predominantly on the North's side. The critics do not agree with the turn the other cheek actions and statements Kim Dae Jung has used after the North has broken agreements or promises.

However, despite the setbacks, the North and South are closer than ever. Of course the two governments have not unified at all, but economic reunification has started and building. Some projects include tourism development in Mt. Geumgang, linkage of railroads and roadways across the DMZ, and a joint North-South industrial park located in communist territory.29 These advancements can be seen by anyone, but the more important advancement is the growing popularity of reunification among the Korean people. Unfortunately, the North Korean government is standing in the way, although some believe this is changing. Some people are hopeful once the dictator in the North either falls or dies reunification of the states will happen with little resistance.

In conclusion, North Korea and South Korea have worked towards the common goal of reunification despite obstacles and set backs. Of course both sides of the DMZ were responsible for the continuation of the separated Korea, most of the inter-Korean blame today can be squarely placed on the shoulders on Kim Jong Il. Time and time again agreements and promises are made only to be later broken predominantly by the North. However, progress has been made, especially through inter-Korean economic transactions and the changing popular opinion among the Korean people. This new hope and determination to reunite this single nation which is radiating from the new generation of Koreans who have either forgotten or did not know the Korean war. Also, thousands of families have been united and are able to move across the boarders to visit because of progress made. Possibly the greatest advancement and policy has come from the recent former South Korean President Kim Dae Jung's Sun Shine policy which outlines practical and realistic steps to reunite the people peacefully before reuniting the governments. In the future there is hope that the Sun Shine policy will thaw the Cold War Nation and abandon the ideology of Juche. The common Korean believes unification is on the horizon and nothing will stop the will of the people. As former President Kim Dae Jung has said "The Pyongyang people are the same as us, the same nation sharing the same blood. Regardless of what they have been saying and acting outwardly, they have deep love and a longing for their compatriots in the South."30

Endnotes

1. "Perspectives." Newsweek International. 26 June 2000, p. 15.

2. Collinwood, Dean, Japan and the Pacific Rim. Dubuque, Iowa: McGraw-Hill, 2005. p. 92.

3. Ibid., p. 92.

4. Ibid., p. 92-93.

5. Buzo, Adrian, The Making of Modern Korea. New York, New York: Routledge, 2002. p. 93.

6. North Korea. (2005, August). U.S. Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.p.1.

7. Kim Dae Jung (2000, June 15). Remarks by President Kim Dae-Jung on Returning Home from the Inter-Korean Summit in Pyongyang, Seoul, South Korea, 15 June 2000.

8. North Korea. p.1.

9. Buzo, The Making of Modern Korea. p. 212.

10. North Korea. p.1.

11. Collinwood, Japan and the Pacific Rim, p. 93.

12. Buzo, The Making of Modern Korea. p. 213.

13. North Korea. p.1.

14. Kim "Remarks by President"

15. North Korea. p.1.

16. Ibid

17. Collinwood, Japan and the Pacific Rim, p. 93.

18. Buzo, The Making of Modern Korea. p. 214.

19. Hong Soon-young, "Thawing Korea's Cold War." Foreign Affairs, May/June 1999, vol. 78, p. 8-12.

20. Tae-Hwan Kwak, Seung-Ho Joo. "The Korean peace process: problems and prospects after the summit." World Affairs, Fall 2002, vol. 165, p. 79.

21. Kim "Remarks by President"

22. Tae-Hwan Kwak, Seung-Ho Joo. "The Korean peace " p. 79.

23. Buzo, The Making of Modern Korea. p. 215.

24. Collinwood, Japan and the Pacific Rim, p. 93.

25. Ibid.

26. "Bush and the war that never ended." The Economist, 2002, February 15, p. 1.

27. Kim Dae Jung, George W. Bush. Remarks by President Bush and President Kim Dae-Jung, Seoul South Korea, 20 February 2002.

28. Simkin Mark. "The Two Koreas." Transcript, ABC News, 3 March 2003

29. North Korea. p.1.

30. Kim "Remarks by President"

Bibliography

"Bush and the war that never ended." The Economist, 2002, February 15, p. 1.

Buzo, Adrian, The Making of Modern Korea. New York, New York: Routledge, 2002.

Collinwood, Dean, Japan and the Pacific Rim. Dubuque, Iowa: McGraw-Hill, 2005.

Hong Soon-young . "Thawing Korea's Cold War." Foreign Affairs, May/June 1999, vol. 78, p. 8-12.

Kim Dae Jung, George W. Bush. Remarks by President Bush and President Kim Dae-Jung, Seoul South Korea, 20 February 2002.

Kim Dae Jung (2000, June 15). Remarks by President Kim Dae-Jung on Returning Home from the Inter-Korean Summit in Pyongyang, Seoul, South Korea, 15 June 2000.

North Korea. (2005, August). U.S. Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.p.1

"Perspectives." Newsweek International. 26 June 2000, p. 15.

Simkin Mark. "The Two Koreas." Transcript, ABC News, 3 March 2003

Tae-Hwan Kwak, Seung-Ho Joo. "The Korean peace process: problems and prospects after the summit." World Affairs, Fall 2002, vol. 165, p. 79 .