The Korean summit

IT WOULD HAVE been wrong to have had high expectations of the first-ever Korean summit in half a century. The very fact that the South Korean President, Mr. Kim Dae-Jung, and the North Korean leader, Mr. Kim Jong-Il, met for three days with their delegations is seen as a breakthrough in international relations. Bringing Pyongyang and its reclusive leader out of their isolation was by itself an achievement. Even before the parliamentary elections a couple of months ago, Mr. Kim Dae-Jung announced his plans for the summit. Not surprisingly, the people in both Seoul and Pyongyang are excited about the prospects of reconciliation and possible reunification. But it is premature to talk of long-term gains from the summit and the two leaders have been very pragmatic. They are conscious of the high expectations and the serious problems. They prefer to go step by step and see where it leads. Five decades have gone by since the 1950-53 war and despite the armistice, there have been persistent tensions in the Korean peninsula and frequent skirmishes in the demilitarised zone as well as the sea. To reduce tensions and to work towards reconciliation will be the first major step the two Koreas should take.

At this summit, the two Kims signed at least four major agreements. There is basic agreement on the need to reduce tensions and work towards ultimate reunification. But that is obviously a medium or long-term plan. From Seoul's viewpoint, there was growing pressure on the President to open the borders for the reunion of families separated by the war. An old generation wants to meet up with long-lost relatives before it is too late. This is bound to have an emotional impact in the weeks and months to come, before the actual reunion takes place. The repatriation of political prisoners will be another positive outcome. For the North, food and economic development remain on top of the agenda. Even at the four-party talks, which included China and the U.S., Pyongyang demanded increased food supply and economic assistance. Seoul may be right in asking for road and air linkages with the North and has offered to play a lead role in developing the infrastructure. Top businessmen from the South have also visited Pyongyang, along with the President.

Apart from the bilateral and regional perspective, the proposed reunification of the Koreas has considerable international ramifications. Just as Mr. Kim Jong-Il decided to make a flying visit to Beijing for consultations before the summit, Mr. Kim Dae-Jung has been in close and constant touch with Washington and Japan. North Korea's nuclear programme and its plans for a long- range missile have caused considerable concern in the region and revived U.S. plans for a missile defence system. Similarly, Pyongyang will continue to raise the issue of the presence of some 37,000 American troops in South Korea. Going by the German experience, it is not going to be easy for the two Koreas to bury the past, overcome their suspicions and sort out the major social, political and economic differences to work for a smooth reunification. But now that a beginning has been made and the two leaders have agreed that it is ``obligatory'' to work towards that goal, the long journey must begin. As Mr. Kim Dae-Jung has suggested, it is easier to start with issues which unite and encourage people-to-people contact. If the two Kims take it seriously, Korean reunification could change the complexion of the region and the world. Besides removing a flashpoint, it could bring about a transformation in the Asia-Pacific equations.

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