뉴스레터

It is thought that the move of the Northeast Asian History Foundation, launched with the aim of effectively coping with China's Northeast Project and Japan's distortion of history and claims to Dokdo, in making different policy recommendations to keep up with the changing situations of Northeast Asia has been very proper, because the historical issue is closely connected with the new order to be established in Northeast Asia. The external changes, e.g. China's economic growth and Japan's rearmament, which is tacitly approved by the U.S., combined with the inter-Korean tensions, are weighing down on us.

On the other hand, however, there is growing anticipation for the opening of North Korea, reconciliation between the North and the South and the unification of Korea. The recent developments in Northeast Asia, e.g. Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to South Korea, Japan's rearmament and negotiation with North Korea. and the signs of an economic crisis in the U.S. and the change in the base of its Northeast Asia policy, are also the signals of new changes to come.

The complex power structure of Northeast Asia surrounding the Korean Peninsula today is compared by some to the one back in the late 19th century when the Western powers were pushing Korea to open its ports. If Britain and other Western powers were joined by Japan in exploiting the Korean Peninsula and China then, now it seems that the West, led by the U.S., is joined by Japan in beleaguering China. But recently, a rapid change is being felt in the existing power structure with North Korea, China, and Russia on one axis and South Korea, the U.S., and Japan on the other. And here the opening of North Korea is emerging as an important factor.

Ease the Tensions and Bring the Two Koreas Back Together

While in the continued talks with Japan, North Korea in late June made a special suggestion to the South in the name of the National Defense Commission that they should work toward opening a new aspect to the inter-Korean relations based on the three principles of "independence, peace, and the great national solidarity" and the spirit of the Korean people. The South Korean government, seeing it as not genuine, refused the offer immediately. When North Korea's offer to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the July 4 Joint Statement by suspending slander, mudslinging and military hostilities against each other as of midnight on July 4, 2014 included the suspension of the UFG, South Korea-U.S. joint military drills, scheduled in coming August, it must have been difficult for the South Korean government to accept it. Still, it would be safe for me to predict that in the near future the inter-Korean tensions will be eased with the opening of North Korea, because given their current relations characterized by hostility and tension, neither the North nor the South could effectively cope with the rapidly changing situations of Northeast Asia.

This change in power structure taking place in Northeast Asia is calling on us to prepare to build a new future for the region on the foundation of a united Korea. To this end, we must first reduce the serious polarization within the country and end the inter-Korean tensions.

Define Our New Roles While Keeping Tradition Alive

The three Northeast Asian countries share the common heritage built throughout the long history of mutual exchange and competition. It is our task to figure out how they should cooperate with one another in the years to come. This is why the initiative for a Northeast Asian Community, the Asian equivalent of the EU, has been proposed and actively debated. Of course, the debate for shaping the future of Northeast Asia should begin with finding ways to resolve the existing conflicts and keep the common heritage alive.

First of all, the unification of Korea, the last unresolved challenge from the Cold War era, must be achieved as soon as possible. It is necessary to prepare for the unification by easing the military tensions and increasing private exchange in economy, culture and other areas. To help North Korea open up and work with the South in ushering in a new era of Northeast Asia together, it is necessary to restore our identity as one people to overcome the difficulty as a divided nation.

Next, cultural tradition must be correctly understood and kept alive. Northeast Asia has shared the common heritage, such as Confucianism, Buddhism, and the Chinese characters. Although it was rejected and gave way to the Western culture with the opening of ports, cultural tradition is still a valuable asset and a source of new culture. The Chinese characters, in particular, are not only the ones used in keeping cultural tradition in writing but ones still alive. Dismissing and neglecting such an invaluable asset as a foreign language will clearly be a major setback to the accumulation and inheritance of learning as well as the research and inheritance of history.

Finally, the roles for us to assume in the future order of Northeast Asia on the geopolitical strengths of the Korean Peninsula must be examined and prepared. The Korean Peninsula, located at the eastern end of the Eurasian continent, used to serve as the starting point of the Silk Road, and it is likely to be the starting point again once the Trans-Eurasian Railway is constructed. Furthermore, Korea is the envy of the world for its complete IT network. In the modern society where everything and everyone is interconnected and interacting online and off in the global village, we should make the most out of our existing geographic benefits and IT infrastructure. To this end, establishing network ethics for the productive and effective use of IT infrastructure is needed. For example, a so-called 'Network Code,' modeled on the Village Code that existed in Korean history, could be laid out and implemented.

For the success of these historical tasks, the internal integration of our society is required first. The increasingly extreme economic polarization should be reduced, the remaining regionalism should be removed, and the complacency and selfishness pervading every corner of society, disguised as custom, should be overcome. Polarization, regionalism, and unreasonable custom are far from conducive to raising the next generation that will open a new era for Northeast Asia. This is why incompetence and the old mind must be left behind. I hope to see a time when the united Korean Peninsula will be the base for global exchange, and the socially responsible and global-minded future generation will use their ability to the full. It's heartbreaking to think about those young students on the Sewol ferry whose life had barely begun when it ended in the accident.