Koreans in New York have been moved deeply by the prospect of peace and prosperity between North and South Korea, following the second round of talks between the heads of the two countries.
Through late night and early morning television news, and through the Internet, Koreans were informed about the speed with which the new talks were agreed upon, the change in policy from the North that has allowed the talks to go forward, and the improved dialogue between the two Koreas, all of which contribute to the generally high scores Koreans are giving this new summit.
But Koreans in the United States felt uncertain, because the statements about the issue of non-nuclear weapons in the North were unclear. In fact, both countries had little to say on the subject.
On October 4, the New York Korean Democracy Association stated, “We welcome the announcement today about the joint discussions on development, peace, and prosperity of the two Koreas, and we strongly support this effort.”
The Association said that by this joint announcement the obstacles to peace in the Korean peninsula are being removed and future peace on the West Coast of the peninsula is foreseeable. This peace would allow a new, special cooperation in the area, with a cultural and economic exchange between the two countries.
Mr. Sang-bok Chon, who has staged the annual benefit concert for the children of North Korea’s Yonbyon area, said, “The two most important steps for unification between the North and the South are frequent meetings between the leaders of the two countries, and the expansion of economic exchange. President Moo-hyon Noh has crossed the military border into the North on foot, and both countries have agreed to the expansion of economic cooperation. These are truly significant – even historic – events, that give these talks a huge potential outcome.”
Some Koreans in New York also showed strong emotional reactions seeing on the news the South Korean president walking across the military border into North Korea, the first greeting between the two heads of state in seven years, the current conditions in the North, and the visits to North Korean companies in Kaesong-gongdan, such as the Nampo car factory. For them, these scenes were perhaps more moving than the announcement itself.
“I was so excited watching the South Korean president walk across the border between North and South Korea. I was moved by the vivid images of the living conditions in the North. I hope that not only the heads of the two countries, but the people of both countries will strengthen their exchange. A reduction in military tension between the North and the South is a win-win situation. This improvement in relations makes the prospect of unification even stronger,” said Kim, Kyong-hwa, a member of the Educational Committee of Norwood, New Jersey.
In addition to the positive reactions to the new summit talks, there was some criticism from Koreans in New York. Many complain that the talks were baseless and not substantive, because the issue of non-nuclear weapons in the North was basically ignored. Critics also noted the lack of discussion on two other important issues – the so-called NLL, the Northern Limit Line, and the “West Sea Engagements.” The latter refers to the North’s practice of apprehending South Korean fishermen in the West Sea and taking them into custody.
Mr. Chun-gun Kim, president of East Coast Korean Navy Veteran’s Association, said, “I am extremely disappointed. The issue of South Korean prevention of a military border strike by the North, and actually the entire issue of the South’s strategic military position, was subverted and the emphasis was on the economic cooperation between the two countries.”
Mr. Joong-hyen Kim, chairman of an organization in New York, which assists persons who were displaced from their homes in North Korea’s Pyonan-do area after the Korean War said, “From the point of view of a person who has lost his home, I sincerely hope that the summit goes well, and that one day I can return to my lost home town. This is my strong desire, but I don’t know how realistic it is to hope for this now, since our current president has such a short time left in office to bring about a real change.”
For the most part, though, Koreans share the idea that the second summit should be praised even if it brings only partial improvement or limited success. If the summit has some faults, these should be analyzed without harsh political criticism, but in the light of the reduction in tension between the two countries to which the talks contribute.
