Near the state Capitol in Atlanta, a memorial commemorates the 740 Georgians who died in the Korean War. Despite the invaluable sacrifices of these soldiers, the Korean peninsula is still divided by a Cold War rivalry.
More than 60 years have passed since the outbreak of the war and the security environment on the peninsula remains tenuous. The death of Kim Jong Il and the rampant speculation surrounding his son and successor, Kim Jong Un, serve as a reminder of just how quickly and easily conflict and confrontations can flare.
If survival is the top priority of any regime, the North and South took different paths to survive after the ashes left behind by the Korean War. The South embraced an open economy and persistently pursued peace, freedom and democracy. It grew to be the world’s 13th-largest economy and the seventh-largest trading partner for the United States. South Korea became a model for developing nations; it transformed itself from a country receiving foreign assistance to a donor, fully committed to supporting efforts to address global poverty and other issues.
In stark contrast, the North maintained a self-imposed isolation, grappling with famine and hunger. As of 2009, North Korea’s per capita income amounts to $960 with a total trade volume of $3.41 billion. In sheer numbers, the economic power of North Korea is 37 times inferior to that of South Korea.
However, the greatest cause for concern for South Korea and other neighboring countries is not just North Korea’s dire economic condition and the trickle of fleeing refugees, but the military buildup made at the absolute expense of the North Korean people.
Despite its economic hardship and desperate need for outside help, North Korea’s recent provocative actions caused further alienation. In 2009, the North tested a long-range missile and subsequently conducted a second nuclear test.
Last year, North Korea attacked the patrol ship Cheonan and claimed the lives of 46 South Korean sailors. Last November, North Korea fired shells and rockets on a Yeonpyeongdo island near the inter-Korean maritime border, hitting both military and civilian targets. Despite the bleak situation, the Lee Myung-bak administration of South Korea has consistently maintained a firm principle to denuclearize the North and to induce and expedite reform and openness in North Korea. Yet, the administration also remains flexible in its approach to improving the South and North relationship, employing various means, including proposing to hold dialogue and providing humanitarian assistance to the North.
Despite the tragic incidents of 2010, the South has increased economic cooperation with the North, bringing the two-way trade volume to $12.2 million from $9 million and continued humanitarian aid for the North’s infants, children and the needy.
With the passing of the North Korean leader, the South Korean government conveyed its sympathy for the people of the North and expressed hope that North Korea will soon restore its stability and cooperate with the South toward peace and prosperity on the Korean peninsula. However, the South continues to manage the situation in close cooperation with its allies and neighbors to prevent any harm to peace on the peninsula.
The Korean peninsula cannot afford to repeat the unfortunate history of mutual distrust and confrontation. The two Koreas need to overcome the current state of division and proceed with the goal of peaceful reunification. The North should take a hard look at reality, stop ignoring the misery of its own people and make a courageous change to denuclearize the peninsula. Until that moment, the South Korean government and neighboring countries will continue tirelessly in their efforts to help the North walk the path of reform and openness.
He Beom Kim is the Consul General of the Republic of Korea.
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