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The Nautilus Institute has two thought provoking articles on the Leaders Summit that are a must read.
The first article, Seoul’s Impetuous Summit Initiative, by Bruce Klingner of the Heritage Foundation roundly condemns the Roh Administration’s decision to seek a Leaders Summit. Klingner argues that the timing (at the end of the Roh administration’s tenure), the place (in Pyongyang, rather than in the South as agreed in June 2000 Summit) and the rationale (which Klingner considers to be overtly political), are all wrong.
His views are firmly based on United States national interests. Understanding this, his argument that Seoul’s decision is impetuous, ill conceived and a threat to US-ROK relations may be justified. However, using such a strongly biased view detracts from the academic objectivity and greatly weakens the argument.
The second article, The Second Inter-Korean Summit: Four Arguments Against and Why They Could Be Wrong by Ruediger Frank, provides a much stronger argument of why the Summit should go ahead, regardless of the now worn criticisms of timing, place and rationale.
Ruediger Frank is able to present a seemingly objective point of view that demonstrates both analytical precision and an ability to view the Summit outside the short-sighted political lens that seems to blur many commentators opinions.
Ruediger Frank’s final paragraph makes one step back from the day-to-day confusion of presidential election politics and think about Roh’s decision in the longer term.
“The sunshine policy, or how ever one prefers to call it, is a long-term strategy. It needs time and continuous support to bear fruits. Nuclear North Korea is a product of failed confrontation, not of naive engagement. Rather than being disappointed by the lack of spectacular solutions, we should take the time to think about what has already been achieved during a historically brief period of time, show some patience, and give the sun a chance.”
This puts a positive light on the Summit. Maybe there will be no massively irresponsible economic package, no promises that affect the next administration, indeed, all that the Summit may produce is some good photo opportunities.
But in the long term… this will be the Second Summit. A small step in the reenforcement of a precedent which will see every South Korean administration make an effort to pursue Summit diplomacy as a means to gradually resolve the very long term problem of Korean division. The Summit, for all its alleged weaknesses is a positive step towards unification.
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7 responses so far ↓
1 Hof // Aug 24, 2007 at 9:30 am
I like Ruedugers paper. I think Klingon’s is not pushing an American view as you say. He is pushing a conservative view. Conservatives are the same everywhere. Like a schoolyard on weekends – no class.
2 US-Pat // Aug 24, 2007 at 10:27 am
Yeah sure Hof. We’d all be better of with you lefties in control!!! Rudiger is one step way from being a crack smoking apologist that thinks KJI is god. Do some push ups and get in line, hippy.p>3 dilworth // Aug 24, 2007 at 10:42 am
Keep it nice US-Pat – We welcome all views here!!!
4 US-Pat // Aug 24, 2007 at 12:54 pm
OK. Let me rephrase. I think the Summit will only help KJI and will not serve unification in any way.
5 Aba // Aug 24, 2007 at 10:04 pm
When we deal with a big affairs of state, we have to take into account of elements such as timing, place and rationale. In this respect Bruce Klingner reminds us of Suntsu. However, heavenly time, geographical gains and human harmony could not be more favorable than around this time. At least this point would be clear to President Roh in outgoing season. If he misses this chance, he will never experience an inter-Korean summit. And nobody will be able to predict when a second one is possible – in view of current opposition party’s attitude. In more broad sense, bigger than outgoing president’s need, it is the season of meeting, talking, agreeing and acting as the six-party talks has shown. This upcoming summit surely pave the way to military peace, ecomomic co-prosperity and political reunification. Because of the six-party talks, all foreign countries are dommed to celebrate the upcoming inter-Korean summit.
In broader background the heavenly
6 Aba // Aug 24, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Because of the six-party talks, all foreign countries are
dommedto celebrate the upcoming inter-Korean summit.In broader background the heavenly*** Sorry for typo-error.
7 dilworth // Aug 26, 2007 at 2:40 pm
No problem. Thanks for the comment Aba. From a third country perspective, the Summit has both negative and positive elements. Let us hope the positive ones prevail.
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