North Korea has again played its nuclear card, after weeks of conciliatory gestures amid international sanctions against the North. North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency reported on September 4th that the North’s ambassador to the United Nations Sin Son-ho sent a letter describing the North’s nuclear activities to the chairman of the U.N. Security Council on September 3rd. According to the report, Pyongyang has reached the final stage of uranium enrichment and extracted plutonium is being weaponized. The North also threatened to further strengthen its nuclear deterrent if international sanctions continue. Dr. Jeon Seong-hun from the Korea Institute for National Unification speculates that North Korea is spurring efforts to secure a new source of nuclear fuel.

North Korea had previously vehemently denied the existence of a uranium enrichment program. But through the recent letter sent to the U.N. Security Council, the North officially revealed it was operating such a program. Uranium enrichment does not require large-scale facilities, like the Yongbyon Complex. I suspect North Korea has completed experimental uranium enrichment and entered a phase in which the nation can start developing nuclear weapons. Currently, the nuclear weapons North Korea possesses are made from plutonium. If the North succeeds in nuclear development through uranium enrichment, it will be able to secure nuclear warheads in another form. This will give more room for the communist country to strengthen its nuclear capability.

The letter written by the top North Korean envoy at the United Nations says that Pyongyang does not feel any need to respond to the request made by the U.N. Security Council’s sanctions committee. Experts interpret this as a response to a “request for a clarification” from the sanctions committee, with regard to the seizure of a North Korean ship by the United Arab Emirates in August. North Korea’s Foreign Ministry announced the nation’s nuclear arms plan in June, but the experts note that the recent letter implies more progress in the nation’s nuclear development. They are also wondering why the North suddenly took out its nuclear card again, after weeks of appeasement efforts. Here again is Dr. Jeon.

Looking back North Korea’s nuclear weapons development, the North had always been focused on nuclear armament, while making conciliatory gestures to the United States or South Korea. So, Pyongyang’s secret nuclear development isn’t surprising. But it’s still disturbing that North Korea has unexpectedly revealed its intention to resume provocative action by officially disclosing its uranium enrichment program, even while making a peace offensive toward the U.S. and South Korea. At present, Pyongyang is subject to U.N. sanctions, which delay dialogue between North Korea and the U.S. against the North’s will. Therefore, the North seems to be attempting to pressure the U.S. by using what it believes is another negotiation card.

In another notable part of the letter, North Korea declares completion of uranium enrichment and plutonium weaponization, while also expressing a will to engage in dialogue. The North stresses that it is opposed to the structure of six-party nuclear talks that have been exploited to violate North Korea’s sovereignty but that the nation has never denied denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the rest of the world. The North also says it is prepared for both dialogue and sanctions, indicating it will employ the two-pronged tactic of appeasement and threat. Regarding the North’s attitude, some speculate that the regime, which had declared a permanent boycott of the six-party talks, has now taken a step back from its previous position. But Dr. Jeon predicts it won’t be easy for North Korea to actually return to the multilateral negotiations.

When referring to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, North Korea is trying to change the security landscape in the region to its own advantage through nuclear arms reductions talks with the United States. Therefore, even if negotiations between the North and the U.S. begin, South Korea must carefully watch how the negotiations may evolve. North Korea wasn’t very enthusiastic about the six-party talks from the beginning. Pyongyang’s No.2 man Kim Yong-nam even declared a permanent end to the six-way talks. So, I don’t think the North is willing to return to the negotiations anytime soon. But North Korea is also well aware that both China and the United States remain firm in their positions about the six-party talks. Therefore, the basic frame of the six-party talks could be maintained, while actual negotiations are held between the North and the U.S. This variant form of the six-party talks, if possible, will be another option.

Meanwhile, U.S. special envoy for North Korea policy Stephen Bosworth, who recently wrapped up an Asian tour, says there’s no fundamental change in the North’s tactic. He also stresses that the U.S. will face North Korea within the framework of six-way talks or to facilitate the negotiations, although Pyongyang doggedly insists on bilateral dialogue with the U.S. A high-ranking official in South Korea says Seoul and Washington have shared the view on employing both dialogue and sanctions when dealing with Pyongyang. Experts predict that sanctions against the North will continue for the time being, and a cooling-off period will be needed before effectuating dialogue with North Korea.

As a matter of fact, the Obama administration hopes to initiate dialogue with North Korea, but it’s hard to do so right now because of North Korea’s series of aggressive measures. I imagine the current deadlock will continue until the year’s end, at least. We inevitably co-exist with nuclear-armed North Korea, whether we want it or not. At this point in time, it’s necessary to devise a broad strategy aimed at convincing North Korea that the possession of nuclear weapons won’t serve its own interests and inducing the country to give up its nuclear programs.

North Korea is using the “two-track” tactic, in which it plays the “pressure” card when it comes to the nuclear issue and the “appeasement” card in other matters. The international community is wondering how the North’s multi-dimensional move will affect the nuclear standoff. In collaboration with the international community, South Korea should seek a way to solve the nuclear issue through dialogue, not by further aggravating regional conflict.


[Interview] Charity Wine Bar Dedicated to N. Korean Defectors-Turned-Collegians
A cool autumn breeze is blowing. On the lawn of Dosan Park in Seoul, a group of people are toasting with glasses of wine to celebrate the opening of the “2009 charity wine bar.” Incorporated association, “Embrace Love Corporation,” held the charity event on September 4 with the help of the Gangnam District Office for the purpose of providing school expenses to college students who were former North Korean defectors. Some 300 people from civic groups dedicated to supporting North Korean newcomers participated in the event in which organizers set up a collection box and issued tickets for wine. Here’s Park Hani, director of “Embrace Love Corporation,” to tell us more about the event.

With the recent wine boom in mind, we decided to hold a wine event where participants would enjoy good wine and engage in charity work at the same time. We’re going to support North Korean defector college students with the proceeds from this event. In fact, we helped 10 such students through a similar charity event last year. The newcomers, who arrived in South Korea in search of a better life, seemed to be greatly motivated to study harder. Encouraged by their positive attitude, we’ll provide school expenses to other North Korean students this year, too.

“Embrace Love Corporation” is a relief organization established by opinion leaders from various social areas. It was set up in 2003 with the purpose of providing humanitarian aid to North Korea and laying the groundwork for the unification of Korea. The group has held this charity wine bar event in September every year since 2007. Ms. Park says she found enthusiasm and hope for opportunity among North Korean students who overcame much difficulty in their quest to reach South Korea. That’s why she initiated a project to help them with their school expenses.

We’ve been holding this charity event for three years. These North Korean students came here all alone, not with their parents. I’ve realized many of them have a hard time adjusting to South Korean society, and for that reason, I’m glad to see them trying hard to find a new life here. I believe if we, South Koreans, show more interest in them, they will be able to resettle here quickly and play their respective roles as members of South Korean society.

Last year, organizers of the charity café sold more than 500 wine tickets, earning 20-thousand dollars in proceeds. 4,000 dollars were used to help 10 North Korean students pay their school tuition and the remaining donations were spent on neighbors in need, including other newcomers from the North. Organizers expect to collect even more money this time around, so they plan to support 13 college students from the North. Some North Korean students who benefited from last year’s event participated this year as volunteers to express their gratitude.

….We’re here to work as volunteers, because we were given so much love, and scholarships as well. Many people encouraged us with love, and that was a great consolation to us. Most of us came to South Korea alone, but it feels like we have a family now. I can feel their warm hearts. I love that feeling.
….I had to work part-time every weekend to earn my living and school expenses. I really appreciate their help. There are so many good people, and I’ve made up my mind to work hard to live up to their expectations. And I’ve realized volunteer work gives me something more than just personal happiness.

Classical music concerts were also held between the fundraising activities and a wine sampling event. People in groups of twos and threes sat on the grass and listened to the beautiful music, relaxing and enjoying a weekend break from their busy routines. They also felt proud to be doing something good for the young students from North Korea. South Koreans’ interest and warm support, though it may be small, will greatly help North Korean defectors resettle here successfully. We hope charity events for defectors will continue to give hope and encouragement to many more newcomers.