Introduction:
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea(DPRK)
is known to the world as a strange and dangerous country. Regularly depicted as
a symbol of totalitarianism, terrorism, and international uncooperativeness by
governments and media around the world, the so-called “Hermit Kingdom”has gained
a reputation as a distraught, anachronistic, isolated country living in the
wrong century.
While it would be easy,
and perhaps even comforting, to blame the oddities of the DPRK exhibits on the
Kim regime’scruelty, lack of sensibility, or excessive violent tendencies, the
reality is not that simple. We believe that foreign nations, including the United
States of America (USA),also shoulder heavy amounts of responsibility.
The DPRK shoots
down American planes, captures American ships, and threatens the Republic of
Korea (ROK) and the USA. But it does so because as much as the DPRK seems to be
provoking the USA, the USA provoked the DPRK as well. The USA sent reconnaissance
missions in DPRK territory, regularly holds joint military exercises in the
East Asian region, and overall maintains a strong military presencein the ROK,
practically breathing down the DPRK’s neck.
Relations between
the USA and the DPRK have always been tense, but in the 21st
century, things intensified drastically. The previous president of the USA
decided to call the DPRK partof the “Axis of Evil,” alluding to a group of
nations that the USA pulverized with planes and atomic bombs during WWII. As if
this wasn’t threatening enough, the USA subsequentlyinvaded Iraq, a fellow “member”
of the Axis, as if to say “You’re next” to the DPRK. The DPRK, like any nation
comprised of human beings, feels threatened, frightened, and desperate.It
should now come as nosurprise why the DPRK resiliently refuses to give up its
nuclear program when the USA, which happens to control the largest nuclear
arsenal on the planet, constantly pressures it to.
We have seen that
the antagonistic approach of the past has failed to yield significant results.
We believe that now is the time for change our attitude. Our policy will show
how.
Approach:
The USA should direct an approach of peaceful reconciliation and normalization
towards the DPRK through a direct, bilateral, and amiable stance.
Goal:
The gradual normalization and development of relations between the
USA and the DPRKin diplomatic, military, economic, and cultural aspects.
Policy:
Step 1:Diplomatic
Normalization
The USA and the DPRK have no formal
diplomatic relations as of now.The USA should actively seek to engage the DPRK
in direct, bilateral talks in order to swiftly normalize relations between the
two nations. In contrast with the somewhat disconnected, hands-off approach of
previous years, the USA’s new attitude should be one of cooperationand amiability.
The talks could encompass a variety of issues but should generally aim to forge
a lasting relationship between the USA and the DPRK through regular meetings.
We believe such talks would be
feasible and effective because:
a) Previous talks, including the Six-party
talksof 2003 to 2009which involved manynations were largely abortive. Such
talks attempted to reflect the interests of multiple nations and thus often
lost application and became unsuccessful. The establishment of direct
communication between two countries would provide opportunities for more
focused, efficient resolutions. UN resolutions and sanctions have also proven
to be largely ineffective.
b) Recent hostilities between the
DPRK, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and the USA can be attributed to situational
factors within the DPRK rather than actually substantialdangers. It is quite
possible that aggressivepropaganda and threats recently put forth by the DPRK
were merely to disprove notions that the country’s new young leader was “soft”
or incompetent, rather than to actually attack either the USA or the ROK.
c) Since April 2013, the DPRK has demonstrated
a less aggressive, more communicable stance. The DPRK’s leader Jong-un Kim,
incumbent since December 2011, has been shown to be willing to talk and
compromise early in his rule. The DPRK also has set forth conditions for
compromise, including the lifting of UN sanctions, the discontinuation of propaganda
leaflets from the ROK, and reduced jointmilitary exercisesbetween the USA and
the ROK. While the USA may not have to fully acquiesce to all of such demands, such
declarations by the DPRK demonstrates the possibility for reengagement of
discussion.
Talks should primarily aim to
stabilize relations between the USA and the DPRK to form a basis of further communication
in the future. The USA should also encourage the ROK to actively seek
reconciliation with the DPRK in a similar fashion.
Step 2: Restoration
and Development
The normalization of relations
between the USA and the DPRK should provide the basis for further cooperative
developments in various aspects.Possible categories and agendas for each
category could be as follows:
a) Humanitarian
i)
The facilitation and expansion of economic aid from the USA to the DPRK.
ii)
The release of American prisoners detained in DPRK territory.
iii)
The improvement of human rights or living conditions of DPRK citizens.
b) Military
i)
Transitioning the current armistice between the ROK and the DPRK in to a full
peace treaty, thus bringing about the end to the Korean War
ii) The
reductionof joint military exercises between the USA and the ROK and the
withdrawal of overall American military presence in the Korean peninsula.
iv)The
gradual denuclearization and possible reunification of the Korean peninsula.
v) The
return of the USS Pueblo, as proposed in 2005 by the DPRK.
c) Economic
i) A
renewal/rework of the Agreed Framework
between the United States ofAmerica and the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea of 1994 or the creation of a separate, similar agreement
ii) The revival and expansion of the Mount Kumgang Tourist Region.
iii) The establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) within
DPRK territory, that would allow investment by American corporations based on
free tradewith exemption from certain communist policies, located along the
Pacific coast of the DPRK in the North Hamgyeong or South Hamgyeong province
d) Cultural
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