&#91LETTERS TO THE EDITOR&#93Editorial misses 2 key facts

I read the editorial “Shut up and send food” in the April 18 edition of JoongAng Daily very carefully. I have several points I would like to make concerning this opinion.
First, the writer made his argument along the logic that South Korea has been excluded from any talks by North Korea’s demand. However, I do not share such a position.
According to reported information, North Korea and China initially wanted to exclude only Japan and Russia. And, so without factual knowledge of why Seoul is excluded from the preliminary talks in Beijing, the speculation and assumptions are dangerous to our country’s interest.
Second, as everybody knows, the ultimate goal of the North Korean nuclear talks is to help North Korea open up to the free world, and so Pyeongyang mostly depends on the good intentions of the United States. Therefore, sending food to North Korea does not violate any principle at all. I think that this editorial lacks some deep thought in this aspect of the North Korea issue.

by Mun Seukki