korean unification studies

Below are a few different views that I have received from various academics, analysts, activists and business people on the 4 October 2007 Declaration on the Advancement of South-North Korean Relations, Peace and Prosperity:

1. The Declaration is a worthless piece of paper like all agreements with North Korea. North Korea will cease to adhere to the Declaration when it suits them, just as it has to the 1972 Joint Declaration, the 1992 Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula agreement, the 1994 Agreed Framework, the June 2000 Summit… and any number of smaller agreements.
2. The Declaration is much deeper than any previous agreement as it embodies the hopes and support of both Koreas. While not containing concrete figures and timeframes, it does contain the most important component for a successful agreement with North Korea - the support of Kim Jong-Il.
3. The Declaration leaves too many loopholes open. Such phrases as promising as convening the ‘three or four’ parties to the Armistice are loaded and go against 50 years of South Korean policy with regards to the North. While the peninsula remains technically at war, all contact with the North should remain in the hands of the military and not civilians.
4. The Declaration holds potential to greatly expand North-South cooperation. Within the agreement is the potential to allow Kim Jong-Il to embark upon meaningful reform without threatening his control. Therefore, it can relieve Seoul’s concerns regarding the potential collapse of North Korea and the devastating economic cost it would entail.
5. The Declaration is nothing by itself. Everything within the Declaration effectively depends upon resolution of the nuclear issue. Accordingly, the Declaration is meaningless until we can confirm that the Six Party Talks agreement is fulfilled as required by December.
6. The Declaration will steer unification efforts and increase understanding and confidence between the two Koreas. It continues the two Koreas towards a path of reconciliation. It is a slow process with no promises or certainty, but it better than what has been achieved during more than fifty years of hostile relations.

Well, these are just a few of the views that I’ve gathered from people. What do you think?