KDI "Confusion Over Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Concept... Need to Establish Clear Progress Goals"
[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] An analysis from the Korea Development Institute (KDI) suggests that it is time to reconsider the perception and concept of inter-Korean economic cooperation.
Senior Research Fellow Lee Seok of KDI expressed this view in the July issue of the KDI North Korean Economy Review on the 30th, in an article titled "Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation and North Korea Policy: How Realistic Are Our Perceptions and Concepts?"
Lee stated, "Since 2016, there has been a fundamental halt in reality," explaining that "as the international community has strengthened sanctions against North Korea, inter-Korean economic cooperation itself has been continuously unfeasible due to external sanctions."
Until now, South Korea had anticipated that inter-Korean economic cooperation could serve as a new leap forward for the Korean economy. However, since 2010, inter-Korean economic cooperation has been suspended for a long period. Consequently, the existing perceptions have faced considerable confusion.
In response, Lee emphasized the need to overcome the confusion surrounding inter-Korean economic cooperation.
He said, "The issues include how to understand international factors such as sanctions in inter-Korean economic cooperation, which is defined as trade between ethnic groups; how to establish the true goals of inter-Korean economic cooperation reflecting the changed reality; and whether it is necessary to design a strategic direction for economic cooperation that directly aims at the resumption and development of inter-Korean economic cooperation."
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He added, "The gap between our thinking and reality regarding inter-Korean economic cooperation has gradually become apparent from some point in time," and expressed hope that "this gap will not expand negatively to the extent that it frustrates not only inter-Korean economic cooperation but also economic discussions on North Korea and unification."
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