[Editorial] NK-Russia Joint Declaration and Korean Peninsula

It is not clear how the North Korea – Russia Moscow Declaration that Chairperson Kim Jong-Il and Russian President Vladimir Putin announced together yesterday will impact the Korean Peninsula. The 8 articles of the `Moscow Declaration` clarify the common positions of the two countries not only on the bilateral relationship but also on the political situation around the Korean peninsula.

First of all, most of the `Moscow Declaration` is directed against the U.S. The declaration supports the Russian position on the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 1972 and emphasizes that the North Korean missiles will not threaten any other country. They also brought up the issue of the withdrawal of the U.S. army from the South and clarified that there must not be an `outside interruption` in the process of the resolution of the unification matters. The outcome is seen as the result of the combination of the Russia`s position to oppose against the U.S. MD system and the NK`s intention to strengthen its position during the NK-U.S. dialogue.

The influence of the declarations on the political situation of the Korean peninsula cannot be determined in a hurry. North Korea seems to be eager to introduce such back-up powers as Russia and China for into the constructive NK-U.S. dialogue and even the visit of Chairperson Kim Jong-Il to Russia shows NK`s diplomatic effort. However, when the North boldly raises the tri-lateral associated relationship with Russia and China and the withdrawal of the U.S. Army in the Korean peninsula, it could not find a breakthrough. In addition, Russia and the North had a negotiation about the introduction of the high-tech weapons. In this circumstance, the Inter-Korean dialogue and the NK-U.S. dialogue might be delayed and consequently a new confrontational atmosphere surrounds the Korean peninsula.

The agreements on the evaluation of the 6.15 Inter-Korean Joint Declaration, the Trans Siberian Railroad, and the Trans Korean Railroad in the `Moscow Declaration` allow a positive anticipation for an improved Inter-Korean relationship. It is rumored that Russian President recommended Chairperson Kim Jong-Il to make a return visit to Seoul. Since the ultimate benefiters of the TSR and TKR projects are in fact Korea and Japan, the projects might be a good chance for the resumption of the Inter-Korean dialogue.

Thus, the Korean government seems to expect the `Moscow Declaration` to have a positive impact on the Inter-Korean dialogue. However, some experts anticipate that the visit of North Korea`s National Defense Commission Chairperson Kim Jong-Il to Russia may create gradually conflicting relationships around the Korean peninsula. The government must not rush the Inter-Korean dialogue, but rather move forward with eyes open to a broad horizon.