Asia-Pacific

ROK minister encourages Pyongyang to open up

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-12-29 16:55

SEOUL - Unification Ministry of Republic of Korea (ROK) called Wednesday on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to follow in China's footsteps in opening up the country to the outside world.

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"It's not that we are trying to force North Korea (DPRK) to open up itself. But we do believe it would be highly desirable if the North could achieve development by adopting the Chinese model, "Hyun In-taek, Seoul's point man on inter-Korean affairs, told reporters in a briefing on its major policy goals for 2011.

"In that sense, we believe it'll be better not only for us but also for North Korea's future if the North opts for (policies benefiting) North Koreans instead of those aimed at beefing up its military forces only," the minister added.

His remarks came as the ROK government hints at a potential shift in its hard-line policies toward Pyongyang, with President Lee Myung-bak voicing support for dialogue and resumption of long-stalled talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear program.

Relations between Seoul and Pyongyang hit the lowest ebb this year following the alleged torpedo attack on a ROK warship in March by DPRK and the artillery fire exchange between ROK and DPRK near Yongpyong Island on Nov 23, which resulted in the death of four ROK citizens.

Some interpreted the government's apparent about-face as a sign that it is practically seeking reunification through absorption - a charge that prompted both Lee and Hyun to reiterate their support for "peaceful reunification" in the long term.

"I think we obviously need (inter-Korean) dialogue," Hyun said in the briefing. "But the dialogue should be a very constructive one and one that addresses core pending "issues in inter-Korean relations.

The Lee administration cut a free flow of aid to the DPRK as Lee, a conservative, reversed a decade of liberal engagement policies of his two predecessors as he took office in 2008.

Prior to the exchanged artillery fire in November, Seoul resumed the first government-financed rice aid to a flood-hit DPRK city in what many said was a symbolic gesture at reconciliation.