(EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on June 9)

Kaesong???s chance at revival

Seoul and Pyongyang plan to have a second round of working-level talks in Kaesong
on Thursday. We expect that South Korean and North Korean authorities will both
seek measures to rekindle the dying flame of the Kaesong Industrial Complex
through the talks, which are being held at Pyongyang???s request.
First of all, North Korea must abandon its incorrect perception about the Kaesong
Industrial Complex and take a new approach. North Korean leader Kim Jong-il
advocated the complex, and signed the Oct. 4 Declaration, which outlines the need
for inter-Korean economic cooperation. When the North Korean military was
unwilling to move its base when the complex was created, it is believed Kim
persuaded them to change their minds.
The complex has since become a symbol of cooperation between the South and the
North, both of which reaped the economic benefits of their involvement. Back
then, Kim made the right decision. Now, we must not allow the industrial park to
become an object of increasing tension between South and North Korea.
When the Kim Jong-il era began in 1998, North Korea declared it would become a
strong and prosperous country by attaining political, ideological, military and
economic power that would allow it to escape its poor economy. If that is truly
the goal, then it would be wrong for the North to damage the Kaesong complex.
Hasn???t Pyongyang struggled so hard to normalize its ties with Washington for
the purpose of becoming strong and prosperous? It is unbelievable that North
Korea nonetheless keeps moving backward, further away from its own goals.
The leadership in Pyongyang must know that the kind of development made possible
through the Kaesong complex is the only way to restore its economy. If it breaks
inter-Korean agreements unilaterally and if the safety of the people from
countries investing in North Korea is not protected, what country will invest in
North Korea or cooperate with it on the economic front?
North Korea must take a rational approach to the Kaesong Industrial Complex
issue. We hope the North will refrain from outrageous acts and remarks that break
the trust of the international community, especially at the upcoming inter-Korean
talks.
The North must also change its stance on the issue of Yoo, the South Korean it
has detained since late March. Only then can dialogue continue.
North Korea can respond any way it wants. But when things go wrong because of its
responses, the North must take responsibility for the consequences of its
actions, including the livelihoods of 40,000 North Korean workers. It is also
important for the North to realize that in South Korea as adversity has mounted,
the idea of withdrawal from Kaesong has likewise gained momentum.
Before this round of talks gets under way, the government must be prepared for
any possible moves the North could make.

(END)