[Editorial] Cold War in Korea might be over

The North Korea-U.S. joint communiqué on Oct. 12 seeking mutual cooperation through the alleviation of antagonism lasting half a century might, along with the inter-Korean Joint Declaration, become a milestone in hurling the peninsula toward a new regional dynamism.

The agreement to end the antagonism between North Korea and the United States, the two parties in an armistice, also signifies an end to the Cold War on the peninsula.

Among the developments, the possibility of a visit to North Korea by President Bill Clinton, which had been unimaginable, points toward the rapid development in the relationship between North Korea and the United States. Although a visit to North Korea by Clinton depends much on the result of the planned visit by the U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to Pyongyang and the U.S. domestic political situation, as the U.S. heads toward the presidential election, should such a visit occur, it would be a historic one.

Although the North Korea-U.S. joint communiqué did not clarify various issues such as missile development, nuclear arms, removal from the terrorist states list, the establishment of a diplomatic channel and economic cooperation, it did make such clear the principles and will to resolve such issues. Such issues between the two states will be discussed in much greater detail, as talks are scheduled on various levels.

Especially, the principle adopted by the two states to further discuss the conversion of the armistice to a peace settlement through a four-party talk including South Korea and China, has become one of great interest. Up to now, North Korea has insisted on establishing a peace settlement with the United States that leaves South Korea out of the process. However the North's agreement to four-way talks signifies a shift in the North's old policy of non-recognition of the South's government, and would lend much support toward the actualization of the June 15 inter-Korean Joint Declaration.

A peace settlement on the Korean peninsula is the most essential among all the current issues being discussed. Without a certain level of trust and guarantee of peace and stability between the two Koreas, true reconciliation and cooperation would be impossible. As such, this vernacular, Dong-A Ilbo, always has stressed that a trust-building measure by the two militaries must precede as an important step toward such peace policy.

However, North Korea has not been forthcoming in the establishment of such measures. As North Korea successfully has garnered a guarantee by the United States for the continued existence of its system, North Korea no longer needs high sensitivity in issues concerning the military. In the wake of the North Korea-U.S. joint communiqué, it is our hope North Korea will be more open for talks concerning the military.

Although it is true that the North Korea-U.S. progress in relationship lends positive influence to the inter-Korean relationship, we must not be negligent of the fluid diplomatic shifts in dynamism. As a new triangular relationship has now been established in place of across the table with South Korea and United States on a one-sided relationship, it is time for South Korea to reexamine its relationship with the United States.

In addition, the progress in the relationship between North Korea and the United States also will bring a great shift in dynamism in the Far East Asian region. South Korea must also keep a close eye on the changes in diplomacy that will be wrought in connection with China and Russia.