ID :
27510
Thu, 10/30/2008 - 16:52
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/27510
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Seeing reason - (EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Oct. 30)
The floating of propaganda leaflets across the border by civic organizations is posing a risk to inter-Korean relations.
North Korea said Monday that if the leafleting doesn???t stop, inter-Korean
relations will be entirely severed and its military will act.
The South Korean government, however, is taking a vague stance, saying that
leafleting goes against the agreement between the two Koreas not to condemn each
other, but that there is no cause or law to stop the civic groups from
distributing the leaflets.
The civic organizations are determined to continue. As the situation is so
serious it might disrupt operations in the Kaesong Industrial Complex, wise
action needs to be taken now.
It is understandable that the civic groups, which consist of North Korean
defectors and relatives of those who have been abducted by the North, want to
condemn the Kim Jong-il regime. Considering the pain and agony that they have
suffered for decades, even more serious actions by them are understandable.
It is meaningful, in a sense, to let North Korean citizens know the truth.
However, what???s more important is to take into account the different realities
in the South and the North and to manage the situation so that the two Koreas are
in a state of peace while separate. That was one of the reasons why South and
North Korea have agreed to operate the Kaesong Industrial Complex and allow
tourism in Mount Kumgang.
We should assess the leafleting from this perspective. The situation on the
Korean Peninsula is becoming more complex. The South is experiencing a serious
economic crisis. The North is dealing with rumors that Kim Jong-il???s health is
deteriorating.
The South Korean administration must remain alert. It must draw up detailed
measures to prevent worsened inter-Korean relations from damaging the economy.
It is just as important that civic organizations refrain from unreasonable acts.
This doesn???t mean that we are giving in to North Korea???s threats. Of course
we should confidently handle any unreasonable threats from Pyongyang. But
provoking North Korea for no reason doesn???t do any good and only brings
negative results.
During the former administration, some civic groups revealed their pro-North
Korean attitudes and that had a negative influence on inter-Korean relations.
An association of Christian North Korean defectors said it would stop dropping
leaflets for a while. This is the right thing to do.
(END)
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North Korea said Monday that if the leafleting doesn???t stop, inter-Korean
relations will be entirely severed and its military will act.
The South Korean government, however, is taking a vague stance, saying that
leafleting goes against the agreement between the two Koreas not to condemn each
other, but that there is no cause or law to stop the civic groups from
distributing the leaflets.
The civic organizations are determined to continue. As the situation is so
serious it might disrupt operations in the Kaesong Industrial Complex, wise
action needs to be taken now.
It is understandable that the civic groups, which consist of North Korean
defectors and relatives of those who have been abducted by the North, want to
condemn the Kim Jong-il regime. Considering the pain and agony that they have
suffered for decades, even more serious actions by them are understandable.
It is meaningful, in a sense, to let North Korean citizens know the truth.
However, what???s more important is to take into account the different realities
in the South and the North and to manage the situation so that the two Koreas are
in a state of peace while separate. That was one of the reasons why South and
North Korea have agreed to operate the Kaesong Industrial Complex and allow
tourism in Mount Kumgang.
We should assess the leafleting from this perspective. The situation on the
Korean Peninsula is becoming more complex. The South is experiencing a serious
economic crisis. The North is dealing with rumors that Kim Jong-il???s health is
deteriorating.
The South Korean administration must remain alert. It must draw up detailed
measures to prevent worsened inter-Korean relations from damaging the economy.
It is just as important that civic organizations refrain from unreasonable acts.
This doesn???t mean that we are giving in to North Korea???s threats. Of course
we should confidently handle any unreasonable threats from Pyongyang. But
provoking North Korea for no reason doesn???t do any good and only brings
negative results.
During the former administration, some civic groups revealed their pro-North
Korean attitudes and that had a negative influence on inter-Korean relations.
An association of Christian North Korean defectors said it would stop dropping
leaflets for a while. This is the right thing to do.
(END)
Download this as a file
