korean unification studies

Apparently, during the South-North Korea Summit, North Korea was displeased with South Korea’s use of the terms ‘reform’ and ‘openness’ in connection to the Gaeseong Industrial Complex (GIC).

As a result of this the Ministry of Unification, and a host of other ROKG agencies have removed these terms from policy documents, official speeches, websites, and announcements regarding the GIC.

Roh announced at the Summit that he “could feel a sense of distrust and disapproval of our use of the terms ‘reform’ and ‘opening’ during the meetings…We have often referred to the Gaeseong complex as an example of reform and opening, but those terms reflect only the Southern point of view”

Now some are certainly going to see this as capitulating to the North’s point of view. Some are going to see it as just another example of Roh’s ineptitude. Others are even going to frame it as appeasement. But maybe, just maybe, some will view it for what it is… a simple aspect of linguistic diplomacy. Actions that encourage reform and openness, such as the GIC,  are more important than the words used to describe them.