Eugene- A lesson in communication: The Ministry of Unification

Posted 08:02 PM, August 08, 2006, by esyim

North Korea has often been nicknamed The Hermit Kingdom by the outside world. Largely secluded from the outside world by purposeful policy of the military regime, the nation and its people are out of reach for outsiders. Recently, however, there have been notable advances in the communication and exchange between the North and South.

These advances are due, in large part, to the efforts of the Ministry of Unification in South Korea and its Northern counterpart. The Ministry of Unification is a department of the South Korean government that oversees numerous programs aimed at strengthening the relationship between the North and South. More specifically, there is a branch within the Ministry -The Office of South-North Dialogue- that is directly involved in improving communication and exchange between the North and South.

In a lengthy conversation with Chong-Ryul Ryoo at the Office of South-North Dialogue, I learned a great deal about the exchange between the North and South.

In Korean, "The Office of South-North Dialogue"

The Office of South-North Dialogue facilitates all official communication between North and South Korea. At the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between the North and South, there is an area called Pan Moon Jum. Under the auspices of the UN, this area is a physical space that literally spans the border and serves as a physical space for communication. The central Office of South-North Dialogue is in constant communication with this site at the demilitarized zone.

In addition to this site, there are two other sites along the DMZ that facilitate exchange between the North and South. There is a site near the Western border that abuts the city of Gaesang in North Korea. Gaesang houses a large industrial complex that is run by South Koreans and staffed by North Koreans.

In exchange for work, South Korea gives a salary of 60$/month for each North Korean worker at the facility. Since these funds are not given directly to the workers but rather to the North Korean government, some critics (including the U.S.) have accused this facility of providing funds to the growing military campaigns of the Northern regime. Whether or not this is the case, the facility does serve as a crucial site for economic exchange between the North and South.

Another site of exchange is at the Eastern side of the border, near the Gumgan-san mountain of North Korea. At this site, South Koreans are allowed over the border to travel as tourists to Gumgan-san. The tourists are strictly monitored and are allowed only on the permitted routes to and from the mountain. In a way, this site thus facilitates cultural exchange as South Koreans are allowed to enjoy one of the cultural landmarks of the North.

These three sites thus serve as gateways for exchange between the two nations. As a result, about eighty South Koreans are in North Korea at any given time. This number includes a small number of NGOs that have been allowed access to the North. Presently, about fifty such NGOs have been allowed access to North Korea.

This improvement in communication and exchange is in striking contrast to the present situation of other international parties. In contrast to the growing communication between North Korea and South Korea, communication between North Korea and other international players has deteriorated. North Korean policy towards international NGOs serves is illustrative of this contrast and helps explain why this difference arose.

Following a devastating series of flooding and drought in 1995, North Korea opened up its borders to numerous international NGOs. For the first time since the end of the Korean War, international spectators were given a view into the secluded country. Following the entry of these parties, some of the intervening nations began to speak out against particular issues that were reported back through the NGOs.

Of note was a report in 2000 by a German lawyer who spoke out against the human rights violations of North Korea. Shortly following this specific incident, North Korean began to close its borders to the outside world and also kicked out the parties that were already providing support in North Korea.

In contrast to this growing distrust for international support, South Korea has been able to maintain and even improve its dialogue and relationship with the North.

As I learn more about the health situation of North Koreans, this political backdrop will provide invaluable insight as I ponder the most effective ways to improve the situation in North Korea.