The two Koreas were once more on the brink of a conflict. Or were they?
North and South Korea agreed to a second round of talks yesterday after marathon, night-long negotiations fell short of resolving a crisis that has pushed them to the brink of armed conflict. As usual, North Korea had issued an ultimatum to the South to stop its loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts across the border or face military action. The deadline expired. Pyongyang is known to issue such ultimatums, and failing to act on them. But the latest one ratcheted up tension between the two as usual. Thousands of South Korean civilians living on frontline border islands or near military propaganda units were evacuated from their homes to underground shelters as a preventive measure.
The negotiations in Panmunjom, where the 1950-53 Korean War ceasefire was signed, were led by South Korean national security adviser Kim Kwan-Jin and his North Korean counterpart Hwang Pyong-So -- a close confidante of leader Kim Jong-Un. After nearly 10 hours of discussions, both sides agreed to meet again today to narrow down differences. According to experts, a compromise is difficult with both sides refusing to back down from their demands, especially given the specific nature of the demands on both sides. Seoul has refused to turn off the loudspeaker broadcasts until Pyongyang apologises for mine blasts this month that maimed two South Korean soldiers on border patrol. North Korea denies any responsibility for the explosions and has accused the South of fabricating evidence of its involvement.
The Korean dispute has been one of the few intractable bilateral disputes in the world, which has been creating tension in a region which is rife with border disputes. The problem has been further aggravated by the fact that South Korea, which is a democracy, is dealing with a stubborn, impoverished and dictatorial neighbour which has made bashing its neighbour its main agenda. Seoul doesn’t have a genuine partner for peace talks. Pyongyang’s interest lies in keeping the dispute going to make up for the misgovernance and inefficiency of its communist regime. And Seoul, being a democracy with a buoyant and booming economy, can’t retaliate with the same jingoism. Interestingly, South Korea said the initial request for talks had come from the North, despite its aggressive rhetoric and military posturing of recent days.
Technically, the two Koreas have been at war for the past 65 years, as the Korean War ended with a ceasefire that was never ratified by a formal peace treaty.
Even if a war is unlikely, the tension is causing enough damage. It’s time for both to find a solution. The world, especially China, must find new ways to teach Pyongyang the benefits of peace.
The two Koreas were once more on the brink of a conflict. Or were they?
North and South Korea agreed to a second round of talks yesterday after marathon, night-long negotiations fell short of resolving a crisis that has pushed them to the brink of armed conflict. As usual, North Korea had issued an ultimatum to the South to stop its loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts across the border or face military action. The deadline expired. Pyongyang is known to issue such ultimatums, and failing to act on them. But the latest one ratcheted up tension between the two as usual. Thousands of South Korean civilians living on frontline border islands or near military propaganda units were evacuated from their homes to underground shelters as a preventive measure.
The negotiations in Panmunjom, where the 1950-53 Korean War ceasefire was signed, were led by South Korean national security adviser Kim Kwan-Jin and his North Korean counterpart Hwang Pyong-So -- a close confidante of leader Kim Jong-Un. After nearly 10 hours of discussions, both sides agreed to meet again today to narrow down differences. According to experts, a compromise is difficult with both sides refusing to back down from their demands, especially given the specific nature of the demands on both sides. Seoul has refused to turn off the loudspeaker broadcasts until Pyongyang apologises for mine blasts this month that maimed two South Korean soldiers on border patrol. North Korea denies any responsibility for the explosions and has accused the South of fabricating evidence of its involvement.
The Korean dispute has been one of the few intractable bilateral disputes in the world, which has been creating tension in a region which is rife with border disputes. The problem has been further aggravated by the fact that South Korea, which is a democracy, is dealing with a stubborn, impoverished and dictatorial neighbour which has made bashing its neighbour its main agenda. Seoul doesn’t have a genuine partner for peace talks. Pyongyang’s interest lies in keeping the dispute going to make up for the misgovernance and inefficiency of its communist regime. And Seoul, being a democracy with a buoyant and booming economy, can’t retaliate with the same jingoism. Interestingly, South Korea said the initial request for talks had come from the North, despite its aggressive rhetoric and military posturing of recent days.
Technically, the two Koreas have been at war for the past 65 years, as the Korean War ended with a ceasefire that was never ratified by a formal peace treaty.
Even if a war is unlikely, the tension is causing enough damage. It’s time for both to find a solution. The world, especially China, must find new ways to teach Pyongyang the benefits of peace.
