Unification minister urges NK to join efforts to fight drought

Unification minister urges NK to join efforts to fight drought. July. 01, 2015 08:16. jkim@donga.com.

Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo said Tuesday, "Both the South and the North should combine efforts to properly respond to natural disasters that are repeating every year in line with global climate changes, thereby damaging (the two Koreas)."

Hong attended the "2015 Korean peninsula international forum" jointly held by the Unification Ministry and Kyungnam University at Hotel Shilla in Seoul, where he added, "Though the rainy season started the Korean peninsula is still mired in drought damages."

On criticism that the problem lies on the North wanting "take and give" instead of "give and take," Hong said, "Whether it is `take and give` or `give and take`, the government`s stance is that the two countries should meet first," urging Pyongyang to join talks.

Through an opening speech, Kyungnam University President and former unification minister Park Jae-kyu said, "No improvements can be made in relations while the vicious cycle will continue if South and North don`t return to dialogue and cooperate each other." Cheon Hae-sung, unification policy director at the Unification Ministry who attended as a speaker said, "Just as German unification served as a critical link to EU integration, the unification of the Korean peninsula can also serve a good chance for integration of East Asia and formation of a peace community."

Christopher Hill, former U.S. representative for the six party talks, said the unification is a future that can`t be denied, adding, "There is no path for reform (to sustain the regime) in North Korea." He also noted, "It is necessary to help China understand that the unification between the South and North doesn`t threaten regional security." John Everard, former U.K. Embassy in North Korea, said, "The Kim Jong Un regime`s continued purging means that the leader holds a strong grip on the nation, but at the same time makes it difficult for people to speak up and make advice," adding, "The Kim regime will inevitably weaken."