Show a strong will

Editorials

Published: 13 May. 2007, 21:53

Show a strong will

One month has passed since the initial deadline to implement the Feb. 13 agreement out of the six-party talks for addressing North Korea’s nuclear issues.
It still can not be predicted how much more time it will take for the agreement to be fulfilled. The issues regarding Banco Delta Asia, which holds North Korea’s money, are solved. Still, there remains another formidable challenge before oil can be provided to North Korea, which is one of the pre-conditions for the agreement to be implemented. A standoff could arise over what should come first: freezing the nuclear facilities or the arrival of the oil in North Korea.
As even these initial implementations are so difficult, it is clear that reporting on nuclear programs and disabling the facilities will be much more difficult. It is therefore rather mind-numbing to think about the existing nuclear weapons.
The worst possible scenario for South Korea is that North Korea’s possession of nuclear weapons is de facto endorsed.
One Chinese expert on Korean issues already said North Korea will not intervene into South Korea’s politics by using its nuclear power. Meanwhile, one international credit assessment institution said South Korea’s credit level won’t rise unless North Korea’s nuclear issues are addressed. That is a warning flag as to how much long-term danger North Korea poses to our security and economy.
Nonetheless, our government and politicians do not seem to be alarmed. The government declared they do not condone nuclear weapons in North Korea but took no practical measures to support those words.
Although they showed a lot of passion by supporting North Korea, the government hardly attempted to connect economic support with negotiations for the six-party talks. Surely cooperation and exchanges with North Korea are necessary, but it should be clarified that strengthening our security is a separate issue.
The government must demonstrate its resolute will to stop North Korea’s nuclear plans.
The presidential candidates in the Uri Party should also understand it is shameful for aspiring presidents to boast about having met low-profile personalities in North Korea as if it was a great achievement.
If you have the will to take the responsibility that comes with the presidential post, you must contemplate alternative measures for the worst-case scenario in the nuclear problem.