North Korea is visibly seeking to appease South Korea by making a recent string of conciliatory gestures. The North freed a detained South Korean fishing boat, the “800 Yeonan,” and its crew members, on the heels of the inter-Korean agreement to resume the reunions of families separated during the Korean War. Last Friday, the last day of the three-day inter-Korean Red Cross talks, the two sides agreed to hold the reunions of divided families. Accordingly, a hundred South Koreans will meet their long-lost kin at the Mt. Geumgang resort from September 26th to the 28th, while the same number of North Koreans will reunite with their South Korean relatives from September 29th to October 1st. The reunions will be the first such event in nearly two years: the last one took place in October of 2007. Jang Yong-seok, director at the Institute for Peace Affairs, explains why the inter-Korean agreement is such a notable development.

It’s the first authorities-level inter-Korean agreement since the incumbent Seoul government took office last year. In a broader, more significant context, the agreement is hoped to help restore the tattered inter-Korean ties, which deteriorated in the wake of the shooting death of a South Korean tourist at the Mt. Geumgang resort in July last year. During the Red Cross meeting last week, North Korea accepted Seoul’s proposed venue, which was exclusively designed for the reunions at Mt. Geumgang, boding well for the permanent use of the meeting place. It’s also notable that the two sides agreed to continue bilateral consultations on humanitarian issues.

Last Friday, the same day when Red Cross representatives reached agreement, North Korea announced that it would free a South Korean fishing boat which had been detained by a North Korean patrol ship. The next day, the North made good on its promise by releasing four crew members, including skipper Park Gwang-seon, after 30 days of detention. In another positive development, starting Tuesday, North Korea eased restrictions on South Koreans’ cross-border land trips to North Korea. With the lifting of the “December 1st measure,” the number of permitted daily cross-border trips increased to 23 from six. The restrictions on the number of South Korean people and vehicles allowed to enter the North in specific time slots were also lifted. This is considered a great relief to South Korean companies doing business at the inter-Korean joint industrial park in the North’s border town of Gaeseong. So, what are the true intensions behind the North’s series of conciliatory gestures to Seoul?

North Korea continued to take provocative actions to escalate tension during the first half of this year. Pyongyang’s saber-rattling reached its peak when it conducted a second nuclear test, which only caused the reclusive country to suffer from strong sanctions and further isolation. North Korea suddenly began to soften its attitude, in an apparent bid to escape or ease the sanctions and isolation. The nation first sought to improve ties with the United States and then relations with Seoul. Pyongyang can obtain practical benefits from Seoul, as far as inter-Korean relations are concerned. This is well evidenced in the five-point agreement reached between Hyundai Group and the North’s Asia-Pacific Peace Committee. Other than the reunions of separated families, all the agreements will prove beneficial for North Korea.

Meanwhile, North Korean media outlets have been reporting positive accounts of inter-Korean dialogue. Last Saturday, the North Korean weekly Tongil Shinbo mentioned the recent meeting between South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and a North Korean condolence delegation to pay tribute to the late former president Kim Dae-jung. The magazine described the meeting as a welcome event that will open a new horizon for inter-Korean relations. As the two Koreas have resolved the impending humanitarian issues one by one, many are now wondering whether they will be able to keep the dialogue momentum going. Given the North’s proactive approach of late, many experts give a positive outlook for inter-Korean dialogue.

At present, North Korea hopes to use Hyundai Group as a stepping stone to engage in dialogue with the Seoul government. In this respect, governmental-level talks are highly anticipated. In a more aggressive move to improve relations with Seoul, North Korea could suggest meetings of high-ranking officials. Or the communist nation could propose working-level talks to discuss ways to implement agreements between Hyundai Group and the North’s Asia-Pacific Peace Committee. And the proposals will be made in the near future.

Out of the five agreements reached between Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il on August 16, the reunions of separated families will come first. So, experts predict the two Koreas will likely hold authorities-level dialogue to discuss the other agreements, including the resumption of the Mt. Geumgang tour program. But the Seoul government says it needs to take a breather for the time being. The two sides did eliminate an obstacle in the way of bilateral relations, but the nuclear issue—a more fundamental security concern—remains unresolved. South Korea insists on Pyongyang’s denuclearization, while the North urges Seoul to faithfully implement agreements made at the two previous inter-Korean summits in 2000 and in 2007. The two sides remain poles apart on these issues, with the international community seeking to impose sanctions against the North. Under these circumstances, it isn’t easy for South Korea to take the lead in initiating dialogue with Pyongyang. Mr. Jang has some suggestions aimed at facilitating inter-Korean dialogue.

I think it’s necessary to find feasible ways to gradually disentangle the tricky inter-Korean relations, rather than rushing to achieve a sudden change. In a speech marking Liberation Day on August 15, President Lee Myung-bak expressed his willingness to hold dialogue with North Korea at any time, at any level. The government needs to use the recent agreement between Hyundai and North Korea to make progress in pragmatic dialogue with Pyongyang. More importantly, North Korea should give up its nuclear programs for a comprehensive improvement in inter-Korean relations.

South Korea has a mountain of work to do in order to make headway toward dialogue with the North. The nuclear issue is one of the grave tasks to contend with. Both South and North Korea must use their hard-earned dialogue momentum to resolve impending bilateral issues and eventually realize mutual cooperation and coexistence.


[Interview] Bag Manufacturer Employs N. Korean Defectors
About 150 people gathered in crowds in Samjeong-dong, Bucheon City in Gyeonggi Province on August 18, despite the sizzling heat. They were celebrating the opening of “Grateful Hand,” a company that produces handbags and purses. This manufacturer hires marginalized people, including North Korean defectors, on a preferential basis. Here’s company representative Oh Hyeong-min.

“Grateful Hand” is a social enterprise designated by the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs. We create jobs for disadvantaged people, produce profits through competition and return the profits to society. Workers are committed to producing goods with love, gratitude and service. We’re thankful to consumers and the many institutions who have helped establish the factory. That’s why we named the company, “Grateful Hand.”

“Grateful Hand” is the third “Hope Factory” for North Korean defectors, following Mezzanine I Pack and Mezzanine Echowon, which were built in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Church minister Kim Dong-ho from the Merry Year Foundation, a non-profit organization, has been dedicated to support activities for North Korean defectors and the establishment of “Hope Factories.” Minister Kim stresses once again the importance and the role of the factories.

When the manager of Mezzanine I Pack told me that labor productivity of North Korean defectors in his factory surpasses 150 percent of that of South Korean workers, I couldn’t believe it. But I soon realized it would be possible when those in hopeless situations were offered hope. When desperate people find a new hope, they can generate explosive power.

Meanwhile, visitors were allowed to tour the factory during the opening ceremony. Befitting the image of a social enterprise, the factory uses recycled materials, and the interior of the building is decorated with paintings by ordinary citizens and students. All the workers are wearing caps in order to practice good hygiene. Working in a pleasant environment with a friendly atmosphere, the North Korean defector-turned-workers are very proud of their jobs.

In North Korea, I didn’t have a chance to work at a factory. I didn’t even get anywhere near a factory. Of course, I wasn’t interested in bag-making at all. But here, I find it fun to make bags with a sewing machine. Beginners like me work with experienced laborers who have worked in this field for decades. We’re working with one mind to make every single stitch and complete beautiful handbags and purses. I’m glad that products of my making are delivered to local consumers. Now I’m totally into this job.

Currently, five female defectors are among the 19 laborers working at this factory. Grateful Hand receives technical support from accessory maker “Ssamji” and trains the defector workers. The factory’s policy is to provide employees with practical training so they can better adjust to a market economy. Company representative Oh Hyeong-min confidently says securing technical personnel through North Korean newcomers is one of the best ways of reviving the “made in Korea” brand, which is slowly disappearing in the manufacturing sector.

As you know, many South Korean manufacturers began to move their production bases to China, Vietnam and other third world countries starting ten years ago. In fact, it’s hard for the fashion industry, including bag makers, to manufacture made-in-Korea products here in South Korea because of an insufficient workforce. My factory aims to transform North Korean defectors into technical workers so they can contribute to reviving the nation’s fashion industry and rebuilding the production bases for small-and mid-sized firms.

In addition, the company plans to reinvest its operating profits to promote the welfare of North Korean defectors and create more jobs for them. Here again is Mr. Oh.

North Korean newcomers are willing to work hard, and they are competent enough. I realize once again that defectors, too, are Korean people who share the same language and culture as us. I believe the defectors will play a very important role in preparing for the future unification of Korea. My factory will continue to create jobs for our North Korean brothers and sisters and help them resettle in South Korea successfully and live in harmony with South Korean citizens. I’ll do my best to convince them that they will be able to realize their hopes and dreams in this company.

Here’s hoping the company will continue to help socially marginalized people, including newcomers from the North, stand on their own two feet.