Choi Jang-jip Criticizes North Korea Policy... "Peaceful Coexistence Must Be Bilateral Between South and North Korea"

Choi Jang-jip, Honorary Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Korea University, is delivering the keynote speech at the 7th Yoon Hoo-jung Unification Forum held on the 27th afternoon at Ewha Womans University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the theme of "Inter-Korean Relations and Unification in the Pandemic Era." Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] Choi Jang-jip, Honorary Professor of Political Science and Diplomacy at Korea University, stated on the 27th that "peaceful coexistence should be an achievement of both South and North Korea, not a unilateral task of South Korea" regarding the Moon Jae-in administration's North Korea policy.

At the 7th Ewha Womans University Yoon Hu-jung Unification Forum held that day, Honorary Professor Choi emphasized a North Korea policy linked to the international situation and highlighted the need to resolve conflicts with the opposition party. In his keynote paper, he said, "In the post-Cold War environment, we must overcome the discrepancies between the ideology, values, and mindset of the Cold War era and the post-Cold War reality."

Providing past examples, Honorary Professor Choi said, "The Sunshine Policy of the Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun administrations was only possible when it ran parallel with the Perry Process, the Clinton administration's engagement policy toward North Korea, and it could not be sustained when the (Republican) George W. Bush administration took office." He also suggested that in this era of U.S.-China confrontation, the current government should pursue its North Korea policy firmly within the framework of the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

He continued, "For South Korea to achieve diplomatic objectives, it must move Japan, and the North Korea policy is unlikely to succeed without Japan's cooperation," questioning, "Otherwise, is the Moon Jae-in administration's North Korea peaceful coexistence policy merely for domestic use?" Honorary Professor Choi predicted that if South Korea and Japan move beyond a friendly relationship to an alliance, it would itself become a 'game changer.'

Honorary Professor Choi questioned, "President Trump talks about a big deal offering economic development and large-scale aid if North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un accepts denuclearization, but does North Korea truly want reform and opening?" He forecasted that "despite 'reckless aid-type support' such as South-North railway connections, COVID-19 quarantine cooperation, demilitarized zone peace zone establishment, and separated families reunions, North Korea will not respond."

Furthermore, he stated that resolving conflicts with the opposition party is necessary before peaceful coexistence with North Korea. Honorary Professor Choi pointed out, "Ideological conflicts and polarization between progressives and conservatives threaten Korean politics and democracy," and questioned, "In such a conflict-ridden situation, how is it truly possible to advance peaceful coexistence between South and North Korea?"

He emphasized, "Pursuing peaceful coexistence under these conditions risks widening the gap not only between the government and the North Korean government but also between the South Korean government and the opposition party," adding, "Above all, priority must be given to narrowing the distance and alleviating conflicts between the government pursuing peaceful coexistence and the opposition party."

Honorary Professor Choi also pointed out the limitations of the five-year single-term presidential system, which reduces the continuity of North Korea policy, arguing that "for a consistent North Korea policy from a long-term perspective, cooperation between the government and the opposition party and bipartisan agreement are essential."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.