Negotiating in good faith a start to solving N. Korea crisis

By Edward J. Shultz

What is going on in Korea? An easy question with no simple answer.

The complexity is multiplied because there are two Koreas. Ironically, the United States created the Korean division in 1945.

After the division, North Korea and South Korea formed radically different societies. They share a common language and history, however, and both keenly feel the U.S. presence. Proud of their heritage, both Koreas want respect from the United States.

Viewing the protests that broke out across South Korea, the United States smarts at the perceived criticism of its presence. The United States also was surprised by the election as South Korean president of Moo-hyun Roh, who as a candidate criticized the U.S. policy of isolating North Korea.

The United States should welcome both events. South Korea recently completed the most peaceful presidential election in its history, marking it as one of the most stable democratic states in Asia. Similarly, the demonstrations, while sizeable, have been peaceful and respectful, showing the political maturity of the South Korean people. Although critical of U.S. policy, the demonstrations have not necessarily been anti-American.

The demonstrators told the United States: "Give us some respect. Treat us as a partner, not as a client state."

President Bush made poor policy decisions when he back-pedaled on President Clinton's breakthrough with the North, distanced himself from President Kim Dae-jung's "sunshine policy," and then depicted North Korea as part of an axis of evil. These actions offended South Koreans and inflamed the North.

Events such as the accidental killing of two school girls by a U.S. Army vehicle worsened the situation. To South Koreans, the subsequent acquittal of two U.S. servicemen in the incident was clear evidence that an arrogant United States does not value Korean lives.

South Koreans feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment and empowerment. They surmounted the destruction of the Korean War, they again rebuilt their economy after the 1997-98 International Monetary Fund crisis, they successfully co-hosted the World Cup in 2002, and South Korea's soccer team made it into the final four, something no other Asian nation has ever done.

South Korea's is the most open society in Asia today.

North Korea also is demanding respect, but the only cards the North Koreans have are a strong, strident voice and the potential of nuclear war. North Koreans feel vulnerable.

The South Korean economy overpowers the North's by a 20-to-1 ratio. The huge South Korean army is supported by 35,000 U.S. ground troops, and by the U.S. Air Force and Navy as well. North Koreans know they are hopelessly outgunned.

North Korea felt it had received some assurance of security when it signed the so-called Agreed Framework with the United States in 1994. In retrospect, neither side has lived up to this agreement. The United States violated it by neglecting to end economic sanctions. When this agreement failed, North Korea literally went nuclear to get U.S. attention.

The United States must pursue a stronger, proactive policy that treats Korea, north and south, like the other major powers of East Asia. Our ties with South Korea can be patched up by bringing the South fully into negotiations with North Korea.

Ties with the North will require much more diligence. Clearly, the United States does not approve of that regime, but calling it names and leveling threats will not bring a solution.

The United States needs to negotiate in good faith. We need to recognize the vulnerability the North Koreans feel.

By establishing a sense of trust, we can alleviate the conditions that have brought us to the brink of war.

Edward J. Schultz is director of the Center for Korean Studies at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa.