ESSAY on issues in contemporary East Asia
Introduction
The sunshine policy is a peace initiative plan that was adopted by South Korean president Kim towards it northern counterpart. This followed a strained relationship between the north and the south after the Korean War. The war affected the two states in many negatives ways and more especially the north, which lead to a crumbled economy and government. Past efforts to bring the two nations together have been hindered by the fear of North Korea that southern Korea will absorb them. The nation suffers many economic and social issues, which it had decided not to seek help from the north. In this paper, we shall be critically studying the policy and how it is influencing the relationship between the north and the south.
Historical development
Koreans are believed to be one people and one nation, however, the war that broke up separated them and caused a strain in their relationship. There was a power struggle between the north and the south due to unequal distribution of recourses. The south however was at an advantage as they received a boost from the United States government. This made the country to appear more superior and stable compared to their counterparts. The North Korea found itself in a position where they did not have adequate resources and economic empowerment to sustain the war. The country hence developed resistance strategies where by they alienated themselves from the south. Due to the economic stability of the south, the northern feared that the state would take advantage of its situation and absorb them. This will hence lead to their mistreatment and hence not being able to fund their one development projects.
The south realizing that the north is part of it tried by all means to bring them back together. These efforts failed even as North Korea chose to suffer with its issues rather than be subjected to the rule of the south. Even though they recognized that they needed help and support, they would not do this at the expense of their dignity and social standing. The leaders knew that the relationships were not just innocent but had some strings attached, which would ultimately work negatively on them (Levin & Yong-sŏp 54). Among their resistance strategies were closed-door policies, which locked the south from any form of economic, political and social engagements. Despite their minimal resources, they became so hard on the south and hence making it impossible to engage in any form of business. This strained relationship disturbed the south, as they felt compelled to deliver their brothers from the crisis they were facing. This was however to be done in a friendly way that will soften the hearts of the leaders who were not ready to give in.
However, under the regime of President Kim, the state of South Korea came up with a strategy that will cement the relationship with the north without making them feel threatened. The sunshine policy was hence unveiled with the aim of unifying the relationship between the north and the south. The policy was governed by there main policies namely; the south will not tolerate armed provocation of any kind to hinder peace on the peninsula, secondly, as the south seeks reconciliation with the north, it will not engage in any strategies to hurt north Korea by trying to absorb them. Thirdly, the process of reconciliation will not involve any cohesive means but rather strategies that will voluntarily unite the two states (Chung-In 28). The south will hence collaborate with the north only in those areas that they are willing to involve them.
The sunshine policy was to imply a new dawn to the north as the south was willing to support them without necessarily expecting a reward. The greatest need of the north at that moment was economic and political stability. This would be facilitated by the south through provision of donations and investment projects. All this will be provided only at the convenience of North Korea and the south will not require to be compensated in return. Looking at the policies and the principles that were adopted, South Korea was obviously giving the north an upper hand in the reconciliation process. This implies that even though it was the south that the was pushing for the reconciliation, the north would play a bigger role in accepting the terms as well as giving the south the go ahead to intervene in the situation. Even though it was the south covering for the needs of the north, the north was to determine how and where the interventions could be facilitated.
Likely solution
With the package on the table, it was now time for the north to either accept it or reject it. This was not an easy decision to make considering the fact that the north was still disadvantaged. It was clear that they needed help and that the cocoon the state had hidden in was not doing it any good. There was however an integrity to protect which came with the fears of absorption. It was easy for the north to believe that the strategy was mainly meant to blind than and subsequently make them fall into the trap of the south. However, after careful study of the policy, it was a real ray of sunshine to their country (Paik 26). They could not hold on any more as its economic capability was crumbling day by day. The nation through their leaders hence decided to give in strategically. They had been given al the power and ability to make decisions as pertaining to how they needed help.
The donations were to be given to them free of charge without any form of reciprocity. This served as the beginning point of North Korea. The nation first had to taste whether the South Korea would stick to its word or will ultimately change especially once they have a control of major strongholds of the north. This of course it had to begin with a series of dialogue between the north and the south. The south send a special convoy to the north just to help them understand how they intent to unify the two states. This would also make North Korea open up and share some of the issues that they face. This will ensure that South Korea effectively implement the policy and that the north also understand how it will positively impact on their economy.
Even though the north was given the privilege of deciding how and what they wanted from south, it was up to the south to provide the terms and conditions under which the projects will be implemented. This would follow a series of discussion and analysis on the ways through which the projects will positively affect the relationships of the two nations. Even though other privileges such as humanitarian support, bulk support will only be given to the state on a reciprocal purpose. This was to set the record clear that the policy was for reconciliation purpose and not necessarily for the north to misuse the kindness of the south. The bottom line of the peace initiative was to ensure that the nations reach a mutual agreement where they will be free to carry out trade and even benefit from the resources they had. Through the implementation, the north was to reciprocate by showing a willingness to cooperate with the south as well as work towards unifying the two states (Kim 40). Travel band between the two nations were to be lifted and travelers from poor families who needed to visit their relatives had to receive subsidized tickets.
Conclusion
All ayes are on the north and the South Korea even as they work towards settling their disputes. The success of the policy will be a proof to the world that conflicts can be solved regionally rather than looking out for the international community to intervene. There is a need for internal strategies to be implemented in sorting out issues. By setting up the pace and implementing the sunshine policy, the south had proved to the word that it s not being selfish and taking advantage of the economic issues facing the north. The south considers the north as their brothers and therefore partaking of the suffering that they are going through. They can only enjoy peaceful co-existence if they find a long-lasting solution to their problems. Realizing that war only still their peace and resources but does not solve their internal problems, it will only take dialogue to reinstate the two states.
Kim Dae-jung hugging North Korean leader Kim Jong-il
Annotated bibliography
Chung-In, Moon. "The Sunshine Policy and the Korean Summit: assessments and prospects." East Asian Review 12.4 (2000): 3-36.
In this book, Moon takes us through a critical assessment of the sunshine policy and how it would positively impart on the relationship between north and South Korea.
Kim, Sei-Hill, et al. "Talking on ‘Sunshine in North Korea’: A test of the spiral of silence as a theory of powerful mass media." International Journal of Public Opinion Research 16.1 (2004): 39-62.
In this journal, Kim analyses the strategies that were used by South Korea to woe North Korea to break their silence. When other strategies failed to bear fruit, it was time for the leaders of South Korea to change tactics.
Levin, Norman D., and Yong-sŏp Han. Sunshine in Korea: the South Korean debate over policies toward North Korea. No. 1555. Rand Corporation, 2002.
The book looks at the prospects that were aimed at being achieved when the sunshine policy was adopted. Even though it was being presented as the south doing a favor to the north, the ultimate was to unite the two states and hence reaping the benefits.
Paik, Hak Soon. "Assessment of the Sunshine Policy: A Korean Perspective." Asian Perspective 26.3 (2002): 13-35.
The article breaks down some of the issues that were raised and negatively affected Korea as a whole. The negative effects of the tension between the north and the south were felt in the entire Asian region. It was hence vital to sought out the issues for the last time.
