A New Vision of North Korea

The Catholic Times in its Reconciliation Column on the  present situation between the North and South Korea  gives the readers some thoughts on the subject. The writer is research fellow at the Catholic Institute for Northeast Asia Peace and gives us what the future could bring in our relationship with North Korea.

The writer  received a book as a gift from the author two months ago. The title is "A New Perspective on North Korea". The author,  is a lawyer and professor of North Korean studies.  He explains, based on his long- research, that the existing inter-Korean legal system needs to be changed to fit the present reality. 

 

As soon as the writer  received the book, he started to read and finished it in two days. The author's suggestions for those interested on the North South Korea situation would find it interesting. The columnist  introduces two proposals. 

 

First, we are proposing to recognize North Korea as a state. Currently, North Korea is an illegal or anti-state organization under the constitution, but has a dual status as a partner in dialogue and cooperation for peaceful unification. This dual status causes a lot of confusion, and the controversy over the repatriation of North Korean fishermen to North Korea is a clear example. However, he explains that recognition as a country can clarify legal instability or inconsistent policies toward North Korean defectors.

 

[The South Korean constitution defines national territory as the whole Korean Peninsula and according to the Korean Supreme Court all the North Korean citizens are South Korean citizens. Consequently the forced repatriation of North Korean citizens who have come South is an illegal act]

  

Of course, whether or not to recognize North Korea as a state can be controversial as it is also a matter of our constitution, but considering the legal stability and consistency of policy, it is a topic that needs to be  given serious thought.

Second, regarding the nationality of North Koreans, the majority  opinion is  that North Koreans are South Koreans, but now this  opinion  should be reviewed again. The need  to change this is seen in many unexpected cases that have occurred. In reality we are  unable to force nationality on a person who claims to be a North Korean citizen even though he is in South Korea, and in the case of North Korean defectors who have settled in the UK, they have never acquired South Korean citizenship.

 

In addition, the author gives views on how to view North Korea's land and how to revive the spirit of agreement in the inter-Korean agreement, but the writer of the column thinks the previous two suggestions are something ordinary citizens should give some thought

 

In addition to this, the author gives opinions on how to view the land in North Korea and how to preserve the consensual spirit of the inter-Korean agreement.

Judging from the facts that have occurred in our legal system in the past by the current standards, there are parts that are unconnected with reality. In this regard, he has come to accept much of the author's opinion that we need to rethink the issues involved in consideration of the expected controversy.

He looks forward to the preparations in our inter-Korean relations in all areas, including the legal system.