Realistic Ways for Korea’ Reunification
Mr. Hasan Tariqu Chowdhury, Executive General Secretary of Afro-Asian Peoples Solidarity Organization (ASPSO)
NEARLY 70years have passed since Korea was divided into north and south by foreign forces.
The past seven decades have witnessed the Korean nation suffering uncountable misfortunes and agonies. Mistrust and confrontation between the north and south have caused a vicious cycle of ceaseless slander, calumny and hostility. Besides, the Korean peninsula has turned into one of the hottest spots in the world, threatening the stability of the region and peace of the world.
To put an end to the confrontation between the north and south that is hindering the coordinated development and prosperity of the nation and threatens world peace and to achieve their reunification is a unanimous demand of the world progressives as well as Koreans.
To this end, the north and south should first reject foreign forces and hold fast to the standpoint of By Our Nation Itself.
As is known, foreign forces are at the bottom of dividing Korea into two and of hampering its reunification.
Korea was divided into two parts by the occupation of the southern part committed by the US in disguise of “liberator” in September 1945.
The US intensified its military control over south Korea in order to occupy the whole of Korea by using the south as a stepping stone for the realization of its strategy of dominating Asia.
Outwardly it has pretended that it was concerned with the issue of inter-Korean relations and with its reunification, but in actual fact it has not been desirous of reconciliation and unity between the north and south for their reunification and hindered their reunification movement by all means.
But for the obstacles laid by the US, the Korean nation must have realized their reunification long ago.
It is too obvious that the problem of reunification cannot be settled by relying of these outside forces. Worse still, to go on a tour around foreign countries touting for “international cooperation” in resolving the inter- Korean relations issue, the one related with the Korean nation, is a humiliating treachery of leaving its destiny in the hands of outsides forces. In the eyes of the others, this cannot but be a shameful act.
To look back upon the past days, in the early 70s of the previous century both sides solemnly declared the three principles for national reunification-independence, peaceful reunification and grand national unity-in the historic July 4 Joint Statement, thus giving a promise of a fresh hope and optimism for the reunification movement. In 2000, the June 15 Joint Declaration containing the ideal of By Our Nation Itself was adopted at the north-south summit, the first ever in the history of national division, and in 2007, the October 4 Declaration, a programme for implementing the June 15Joint Declaration, was signed, ushering in the June 15 reunification era when the north and south strove for reconciliation, unity and reunification.
The above facts show that the accomplishment of the cause of Korea’s reunification can be successful only when the north and south respect and implement the declarations with sincerity, rejecting foreign forces and holding fast to the standpoint of By Our Nation Itself.
Second, both sides should make positive efforts to defend national security and peace.
Though sixty years have passed since the end of the war (Korean war of 1950-1953) on the Korean peninsula, permanent peace is yet to be settled; a touch-and-ago situation is being aggravated there.
Large-scale nuclear war exercises conducted by the US and south Korea around the peninsula are good examples.
The joint nuclear war games that started in the name of Focus Retina in 1969 gave been conducted every year for the past 45years, merely changing their names into Freedom Bolt, Team Spirit, Key Resolve, and Goal Eagle. Enormous amounts of nuclear strike means including nuclear-powered aircraft carriers have been mobilized into these exercises. Should another war break out on the Korean peninsula it will result in a devastating catastrophe incomparable with that of the past Korean war.
The US would never remain unaffected in this war, either, where all kinds of modern nuclear means would be enlisted.
As long as such military confrontation and threat of war prevail, reunification of Korea would never be realized. Peaceful environment is the main prerequisite for Korea’s reunification.
Third, the north and south of Korea should create climate favourable for improving the relations between them.
It is heartrending for the Korean nation to be partitioned by foreign forces for nearly 70 years, and it is more intolerable to see one side slinging mud at and showing hostility to the other.
Improved relations between the north and south are something that cannot be achieved. The June 15 reunification era, when the north and south conducted exchanges and collaboration with each other in many sectors and both teams participated in the international games in the name of one team and they were cheered by people of both the north and south, testifies to it.
Whether the inter-Korean relations ate improved or not depends on how the authorities of both sides make up their minds and how they strive to this end.
Today, the cause of Korean reunification is entering a new historical turning point under the wise leadership of the comrade Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK.
Chairman Kim Jong Un, fully determined to achieve the national reunification- the lifelong will and behests of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung and Great Leader Kim Jong Il, made great progress for the national reunification and peace on the Korean Peninsula through two times of historical inter-Korean Summit meetings and publication of Panmunjom Declaration on Peace, Prosperity and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula.
If north and south of Korea jointly have clear views and stand, are full of self-confidence in solving the reunification issue by Korean nation itself, we can overcome any form of difficulties and nothing would be impossible if north and south join their hands together.
Korea should be reunified as early as possible.