평화군축센터 미분류 2013-01-23   2964

[Statement] North and South Korea should Start Dialogue Immediately, the Only Fundamental Solution

North and South Korea should Start Dialogue Immediately 
the Only Fundamental Solution
Ending the Joint Declaration of the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula
does not solve problems
The UN Security Council Resolution should be leverage for 
peace and stability in the Korean peninsula rather than adding up sanctions
(Seoul, 23 January 2013) On 22 January 2013(EST), the UN Security Council adopted the Resolution 2087 that “condemns the DPRK’s launch of 12 December 2012” and tightens the sanctions against the country. The North Korea immediately responded by terminating the denuclearization talks: “the six-party talks and the joint September 19 statement were rendered null and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula was put to an end”. Center for Peace and Disarmament at People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy(PSPD) requests that North Korea refrains from rocket launch and that South Korea and the international society not respond only with sanctions against North Korea. We are highly concerned with repeated decisions that do not contribute to maintaining peace and denuclearization in the Korean peninsula. Dialogue is the only fundamental solution. North and South Korea, and the international society must immediately start dialogue.

Ending the Joint Declaration of the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula does not solve any problems. It seems reasonable for North Korea to argue for its right to explore and use outer space like other states, and the preamble of the UN Security Council Resolution 2087 too acknowledges the right. However, the rocket launch by North Korea who conducted nuclear test twice raised high doubts and worries in neighboring countries. If tensions in the Korean peninsula are intensified and conflicts around North Korea nuclear program are escalated, it is Korean people who have to bear the burden and pain. Therefore, we cannot help but express our great concerns about the attitude of North Korea which aggravates the situation. North Korea should immediately withdraw its announcement on ending the Joint Declaration of the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and start dialogue.

Condemning North Korea’s satellite launching does not conform with all states’ freedom to explore and use-outer space which is also stipulated in the UN Security Council Resolution. At the same time, by launching a rocket last December, North Korea violates the UN Resolutions that ban any launching that uses ballistic missile technology, even if it is entitled to the freedom to explore and use-outer space. The UN and North Korea, in other words, maintain a contradictory position and forge ahead with actions that only exacerbate the situation. The UN’s actions have been counterproductive for its previous resolutions that ban all launching with ballistic missile technology have only fueled North Korea rocket technology development. Likewise North Korea’s actions that ignore the UN resolutions are self-defeating for they only jeopardises its own national security and economic development. The only way to solve ‘North Korea’s rocket launch’ is, therefore, dialogue among North Korea and other relevant countries and only dialogue stands a chance to defuse the precarious current situation.

Reacting harshly towards North Korea does not solve the situation but will only worsen it. At this time of situation, problems will be and can be solved by dialogue. Most importantly, the international society including South Korea should use the adoption of the UN Resolution 2087 as leverage to overcome current obstacles rather than imposing sanctions. The Resolution 2087 itself reaffirms a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution. It is a duty and responsibility of the international society to solve the current situation instead of sanctions. To fulfil this responsibility, the international society should not unnecessarily provoke North Korea and prioritise peace and stability of the Korean peninsula to prevent North Korea’s provocation such as the third nuclear test.

President-elect Park Geun-hye should show her best efforts to restart dialogue between North and South Korea. During the Lee Myung-bak administration, relationship between North and South Korea came to a rupture. Regardless “strategic patience”, North Korea gained certain level of intercontinental ballistic missile technology with successful rocket launch rather than regime collapse. What is important at the current stage is peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and we should not provide excuses for North Korea to develop its nuclear technology through its third nuclear test. North Korea leaves a door for a “dialogue to secure peace and stability of the Korean peninsula”. Based on this, Park Geun-hye administration must immediately start dialogue with North Korea and prevent aggravation of the situation. Once again, we reiterate careful and peaceful problem solving approach from neighboring countries including South Korea. 
For more information, please contact to: 
Ms Huisun Kim, Director, Center for Peace and Disarmament, People’s Solidarity for Participatory and Democracy at +82(0)2-723-4250, peace@pspd.org. 

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