The Pyeongchang Olympics and Solving the Korean Crisis with Goodwill Posted on 02 Mar·Ch 2018 Tags
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Received by NSD/FAR.t\ Registration Unit 09/26/2018 3:32:49 PM The PyeongChang Olympics and Solving the Korean Crisis with Goodwill Posted On 02 Mar·ch 2018 Tags. diplomacy By Casey Robinson In January, the South Korean government extended its hand to the Kim regime by offering high,level talks to d.iscuss North Korea's possible participation at the Winter Olympics, to which the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un responded positively and ordered a reopening of the Panmunjom hotline. The international community was generally optimistic towards this development. Even President Trump, who has shown a willingness to use force to protect American interests, commented that inter-Korean talks are a good thing and even suggested his willingness to speak with Kim Jong-un himself. Many acts of goodwill came from these high-level talks. North and South Korea agreed to participate as a unified team at the Winter Olympics under one flag with inter-Korean team practices in the North. In additfon, the United States rnay have also displayed a sign of goodwill by decreasing funding for human rights and freedom of information programs in North Korea. Decreasing its budget towards these issues may show the North Korean government thatthe United States is potentially no longer be interested in undermining the Kim regime. However, the Moon administration's attempt at rapprochement with North Korea may only be good for the short0 term, until the closing of the Winter Olympics. Without the incentive of sports diplomacy, all three governments may likely return to provocations as there is no sense of confidence in their respective adversary. Even though North Korea and South Korea discuss long-term goals such as family reunions and reducing military tensions, seven decades of war has created significant mistrust. Consequently, despite each government displaying a desire for a peaceful resolution, concerns over the intentions of the other party will remain an obstacle. Indeed, South Korea and t.he United States still maintain certain attitudes that would be looked at as unfriendly by North Korea. For example, President Moon's comment that high-level talks were due to President Trump's pressure on North Korea and reaffirming his commitment to applying sanctions on North Korea greatly displeased the North Korean government. President Trump, on the other hand, continues to push towards further pressuring North Korea both diplomatically and economically. North Korea has seemingly decreased its provocative attitude as it has not tested a missile since November 28. However, there are still signs that suggestthat the North may continue missile tests. If provocations persist, the potential accomplishrnents that the PyeonChang Olympics might bring will be in vain. For this reason, it is important for all parties to take advantage of the sense of good feelings that the Olympics has created by continuing to display acts of goodwill. This can be accomplished by addressing the concerns that their respective adversary has expressed in the past. By doing so, the three parties would be able to alleviate tensions, create confidence and trust in their respective adversaries, and encourage collaboration towards a peaceful solution. ,~ In showing goodwill, the three governments will start by showing low levels of goodwill. It is irrational to expect North Korea to return the U.S.S. Pueblo to the United States, which is a high level of goodwill, Received by NSD/F ARA Registration Unit 09/26/2018 3:32:49 PM Received by NSD/F ARA Registration Unit 09/26/2018 3:32:49 PM immediately as it has no guarantee that the United States is wilHng to abandon its reactionary policies against it. As trust and confidence improves, it is then. appropriate for each government to show greater amounts of goodwill until peace is adequ·ately established. The following are explanations for possible acts of goodwill.. The list first begins with low levels of goodwill that could be started immediately but gradually builds up to large levels of goodwill. · Gradually Dec.rea.se the Extensity of Military Exercises/Weapons Tests North Korea, South Korea and the United States have been quite clear about their concerns towards military exercises and weapons tests, respectively. Accordingly, the biggest form of goodwill would be to abandon military exercises and weapons tests. North Korea may already be showing this kind of goodwill as it has stopped its weapons tests since November of last year. However, it is unrealistic to expect South Korea and the United States to cease military exercises. Doing so would jeopardize their military preparedness. Nevertheless, it would be possible for bot.h South Korea and the United States to show a simila.r kind of goodwill by making exercises less provocative. For example, the United States may move military drills farther south and cease unnecessary military drills such as flying aircrafts close to the North Korean border. Allow the Military to Continue Its Search for t_he Bodies of American Soldiers From 1996 to 2005, North Korea allowed the United States to repatriate dead bodies of U.S. soldiers but there are still thousands of bodies of deceased U.S. soldiers in North Korea. Reinitiating this project would be meaningful to the U.S. government as the repatriation of deceased Ame.rican soldiers has always been an important issue fort.he United States. Refrain from Violent, Inflammatory, and Unproductive Rhetoric It is typical for North Korea, South Korea, and the United States to exchange inflammatory comments, especially since the inauguration of Trump. North Korea will make threatening re.marks such as vowing to turn South Korea .into a "sea of flames" or insult the leadership of its adversaries such as calling President Trump a dotard. On the other hand, the United States will criticize North Korea by highlighting North Korea's human rights abuses or when former President Obama commented that North Korea will continue to fall behind due to its isolationism .. These defamatory comments are frivolous, They only upset the other party. Displaying Respect to the Adversary Displaying more respect to the other party is another sign of goodwill. This is especially important to the North Korean government, as it is very proud and highly desires to receive respect from the international community. For this reason, addressing North Korea by its official name, The Democratic I • People's Republic of Korea, may treate goodwill with the North Korean government Recently, North Korean counsellor, Ri Song Chol, expressed his government's dismay when the United States refused to address North Korea by its official name at the United Nations in New York. Accordingly, both South Korea and t.he United States would display considerable goodwill to North Korea if i.t were to refer tot.he country by its official name in official documents, press releases, and official comments. North Korean media has begun referring (not completely) to South Korea as its official name, Republic of Korea, in recent days. Therefore, it would be appropriate for both South Korea and the U.nited States to return the favor. Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 09/26/2018 3:32:49 PM Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 09/26/2018 3:32:49 PM Offer American Prisoners More Access to Swedish Diplomats Since 2009, American prisoners have often commented that they rarely met with diplomats from the Swedish embassy, which is typically viewed as a defiance of international law. Accordingly, by allowing the Swedish Embassy to meet with American prisoners regularly, North Korea would show goodwill towards the United States. It would not only show that North Koreans are now better meeting the needs of American prisoners but are also willing to abide by in.terna.t.ional norms, a possible sign that Pyongyang wants to become a contributing member in the internation.al community. Addressing War Atrocities North Korea claims that the United States is responsible for the death of thousa.nds of Nort.h Koreans due to heavy bombing and germ warfare during the Korean War. This has become a painful memory for North Korea. It has erected two museums, the Korean War Museum and the Sinchon Museum of American War Atrocities, that remind the people of the United States' war atrocities. However, while many agree that the United States is responsible for heavily bombing North Korea, there is a distinction betwee.n legitimate acts of war and war atrocities. The United States should not apologize for something it did not do. However, it could agree to participate in a Joint Investigation for war atrocities to begin to put issues of the war behind each country. This could be a joint investigation with China, Russi.a, and South Korea. Doing so would show that the United States is willing to address the issue. Return the Pueblo to the United States North Korea is proud of its treasure in the U.S.S. Pueblo, as it often boasts about its victory against the United States in the 1960s skirmish. North Korea returning the U.S.S. Pueblo tot.he United States wou.ld show significant goodwill to the United States. It would show that North Korea is willing to swaflow some of its own pride to improve relations with the United States. There are understandable concerns towards the sincerity of North Korea. For decades, North Korea has seemingly only acted in its own interest.sand has rarely done anything for free. 1.n addition, Seoul is l!fildng for the cost of North Korea's attendance at the Olympics. The North Korean government is sacrificing very little and benefitting greatly. It is reasonable to believe, like many have pointed out, that North Korea has ulterior motives for participating in the Olympics.