South and North Korea have agreed to hold a new round of working-level talks to discuss the Gaeseong Industrial Park project. The previous such talks took place seven months ago. The agreement was made at an inter-Korean meeting, which was held in Gaeseong from January 19th to 21st to evaluate the two sides’ joint survey of overseas industrial parks last month. But the delegates failed to reach an agreement on the agenda to be discussed at the future talks. South Korea proposed that the two sides first address the issues of cross-border passage, telecommunications and customs clearance as well as the safety of workers in their joint industrial complex. On the other hand, North Korea repeated its previous demand for wage hikes for its workers in Gaeseong. The prospects for the future negotiations are murky, due to the differing opinions between the two sides. Still, Professor Koh Yu-hwan from the North Korean Studies Department at Dongguk University predicts that a series of inter-Korean talks will help jumpstart bilateral dialogue.

South and North Korea conducted a joint survey of industrial parks in China and Vietnam late last year. And they held a meeting at the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Consultation Office in Gaeseong last week to review the fact-finding trip to overseas industrial parks. During the meeting, the two sides reportedly discussed ways to develop their joint industrial park in Gaeseong seriously. Inter-Korean conflict has continued for the last two years since the inauguration of the Lee Myung-bak government in South Korea, with both sides readjusting policies concerning bilateral ties. In a sense, Seoul and Pyongyang haven’t held serious negotiations thus far. The latest governmental, working-level contact came amid the protracted stalemate in inter-Korean ties, with the purpose of vitalizing private exchanges. The two sides also agreed to hold higher working-level talks on February 1st. If they manage to continue holding talks and build mutual trust, they could potentially hold a higher-level inter-Korean dialogue.

One day after the talks, on January 22, North Korean military authorities proposed holding a working-level military meeting in Gaeseong on January 26 for a prompt solution to some of the problems hindering the joint industrial park business. The inter-Korean military talks have been suspended since October 2008. Problems within the industrial complex include restrictions in passage, telecommunications, and customs clearance. Representatives at the seventh general-level military talks in 2007 decided to ease those restrictions, but detailed procedures have been suspended, due to aggravating inter-Korean ties. Professor Koh now analyzes Pyongyang’s intention to propose another inter-Korean meeting, with working-level talks for the Gaeseong project scheduled to take place only in ten days.

For smooth economic activities, free passage in and out of Gaeseong should be guaranteed. Also, free communication is essential for transporting goods in this era of information and technology. To invigorate the Gaeseong industrial park business, the two sides must ease the restrictions in cross-border passage, communication and customs clearance, which are detrimental to the venture business. South Korea insists on the solution of these problems, and North Korea may express in its changed view on this issue at the proposed military talks so the South Korean side will not bring up the issue at the working-level meeting in February.

While North Korea seems eager to engage in dialogue with Seoul on one hand, it is taking the offensive with the other. North Korea’s General Staff of the Korean People’s Army said on January 24 that South Korean Defense Minister Kim Tae-young’s recent remarks about a preemptive strike against any indication of a nuclear attack from the North was “an open declaration of war.” The North threatened to take stern military action against the South. North Korea declared a no-sail zone on the West Sea on January 25, and two days later, the North fired dozens of artillery shells into waters north of the Northern Limit Line near the South’s islands of Baeknyeong and Daecheong on the West Sea. The South Korean Navy immediately responded with Vulcan cannons. The Korean Central News Agency in North Korea confirmed Wednesday’s shootings and reported that the People’s Army would continue live-fire drills in the area. Professor Koh views the North’s shootings in various aspects.

It seems that North Korea conducted shooting drills to raise tension deliberately because it is still discontented with its defeat at the third inter-Korean naval clash on the West Sea last November. The provocative act could be yet another attempt by the North to nullify the Northern Limit Line, the de-facto inter-Korean maritime border that North Korea does not recognize. Or, the North may have wanted to tell the international community and involved countries that the security conditions in the region are very unstable, awakening them to the need for a peace treaty. From the standpoint of inter-Korean relations, North Korea has sent an olive branch to Seoul since last August, but the South has yet to grab it. What’s more, some South Korean media agencies recently reported on Seoul’s contingency plan for the possibility of the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and a subsequent emergency in the North. All these developments may have provoked Pyongyang.

The South Korean government has been adjusting the pace of inter-Korean dialogue to figure out the North’s true intention behind its tandem peace overtures and military threats; North Korea had suggested working-level talks on the resumption of tours to Mt. Geumgang and Gaeseong as well as a military meeting, but Seoul proposed delaying the two meetings until February 8th and after the Gaeseong business talks, respectively. The government said it would react sternly and calmly to the latest military provocation from the North and sent a strong warning message to North Korea. But Seoul said it would proceed with the Gaeseong business talks scheduled for February 1st as planned. Diplomatic experts speculate North Korea’s latest maritime shooting is more about pressuring South Korea to answer its call for dialogue, rather than actually causing damage the South. So then, what should the two Koreas do in order to convene the prospective Gaeseong talks in February amid this precarious situation and to advance inter-Korean ties?

Exchanging cannon fire will only hurt mutual confidence and influence future inter-Korean relations negatively. The mishap will also affect a series of proposed inter-Korean meetings in some way. To help inter-Korean relations proceed smoothly, South and North Korea need to build confidence at the ongoing negotiations over the Gaeseong industrial park, the Mt. Geumgang tour and various humanitarian projects. I hope the improved ties will lead to the exchange of special envoys or an inter-Korean summit.

Amid the prolonged deadlock, South and North Korea are ready to enter serious dialogue, starting with the Gaeseong talks scheduled for February 1. We hope both sides will show a more flexible and forward-looking attitude so they can keep the dialogue momentum going, based on the principle that military provocation should not be tolerated.


[Interview] N. Korean Defectors’ Magazine, ‘Northern Village’
An editorial conference is being held in an office in Gongdeok-dong, Mapo district in western Seoul. Here, North Korean defectors are producing a magazine entitled “Northern Village.” A group of North Korean defectors launched an organization, “North Korea Intellectuals Solidarity,” here in South Korea in 2008. The defectors had worked as professionals, such as reporters, professors and doctors, in their home country. The group members have since suggested new policies related to North Korea or unification and engaged in various activities aimed at letting South Korean people know the reality of their communist neighbor. Group president Kim Heung-gwang says one of the most important projects of this group is to publish the magazine, “Northern Village.”

“Northern Village,” a quarterly magazine, issued its first edition in December 2008. We’ve published the fifth edition recently. The most important goal of our group is to deliver the South Korean public the reality of North Korea just the way it is. There are many ways to fulfill that goal, but we chose the most direct method—a magazine. In this magazine, we describe how we lived and what we experienced in North Korea in an interesting way, regardless of ideology.

The original name of the magazine was “North Korean Society.” But the group changed the name to “Northern Village” to focus more on portraying the lives of North Korean citizens vividly and forming an intimacy with readers, rather than explaining the North’s social structure. The magazine features diverse topics, ranging from human rights and family life in North Korea to serious issues like the potential role of intellectual North Korean defectors. It also carries a novel written by a North Korean defector himself and introduces famous sites in North Korea and humorous phrases and stories themed with the communist nation. Unfortunately, the editorial department has a tight budget, because the magazine is operated solely through the group’s membership fees. The staff members always feel sorry about paying their writers such a small sum. They can’t even consider color printing, due to the insufficient budget. They also have to settle problems related to publication and design work without any help from outside. Despite all these difficulties, the members just can’t give up on this magazine, because they are entrusted with a tremendous mission to inform the public about the reality in North Korea. Here’s Ri Ji-myeong, chief of the editorial department.

From a broad perspective, we’re proud of playing the role of revealing the stark reality of North Korea, including the dire human rights conditions in the reclusive country. In that process, we hope more international attention will be paid to North Korea so our fellow citizens in the North will be provided with enough food, clothing and shelter at least. Who would lay bare the truth about North Korea, which has been shrouded in mystery for decades? We feel proud to assume that role. That’s why we find our work rewarding. We’re eager to continue it.

Citizens in South Korea and even in Japan can purchase this magazine if they place an order with the group’s office. Mr. Kim says the group plans to expand the reader base abroad to reach ethnic Koreans overseas who can’t easily access to information about North Korea. This year, the group members will continue to help the public recognize the North Korean reality correctly and make efforts to reduce the gap between South and North Korea. Hopefully, their sincere efforts will be delivered to many more readers through this magazine.