James Kim
ASA 2 Section 2
As a Korean American, it really hurts me to see South Korea completely split in terms of their stance on issues regarding North Korea. For one, the majority of the South Korean public advocates for a reunified Korea, but how are we even supposed to do that if we can't even reach an accord within South Korea? There seems to be a huge division in political beliefs: the right favoring pro-U.S. militarism and the left vying to dismantle and reconstruct the Seoul-Washington alliance and build a closer relationship with Pyongyang. It's difficult because I can somewhat empathize with both sides of the spectrum despite the substantial polarization of interest. I understand the right side in that it is safer to submit to the U.S. for military and economic aid; however, there is potential for that relationship to turn problematic if South Korea gradually loses autonomy and is eventually forced to succumb to the will of the U.S. out of necessity. The left argues for a reconstruction of the relationship to decrease reliance on U.S. aid and reclaim autonomy by negotiating with North Korea without U.S. approval. Yes, it would be nice if South Korea could stand on its own two feet, but in the event of a huge nuclear war, they would have no choice but to request aid from the U.S. All in all, I understand the sentiment behind both parties' platforms, but we need to come to a consensus in order to realize our hope for a reunified Korea.
Especially now that North and South Korean tensions are growing even more aggressive in the last month, which side would you choose and why? Is North Korea at a point where negotiation is no longer even an option? Is this all just another North Korean ploy to establish Kim Jong-Un's newly found power?
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/04/28/last-groups-south-koreans-leave-shuttered-north-korean-factory/
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