창작과 비평

 

: An Appeal to the Governments and People of the United States, North Korea (DPRK), South Korea (ROK), Japan, China, and Russia

 

Heartened by recent positive developments over the Korean peninsula, but deeply concerned about the dangerous state of current affairs, we appeal to the peoples, governments and international organizations concerned to seize the opportunity created by Former President Clinton’s and Ms. Hyun’s visits to North Korea to further dialogue and diplomacy in the service of peace.

 

Their visits, leading to the release of two American journalists and a South Korean employee, are steps toward comprehensive dialogue that could lead to easing tensions in Northeast Asia. However, while North Korea welcomed the Clinton-Kim talks and expressed the desire to resolve problems in the relationship with the United States by dialogue, US public statements have ruled out negotiating nuclear or other matters except in the frame of the Six-Party Talks, while further tightening economic and financial sanctions. In short, despite calls for dialogue, far from holding any talks, the governments concerned continue to hew to sanctions, threats, and confrontation.

 

The deepening crisis in Northeast Asia is not limited to nuclear issues, but is rooted in the quasi-war situation inherent in the fact that there is only a ceasefire agreement but no peace treaty to end the US-Korean War. It is high time that the concerned governments stop talking about talks and start talking with each other, bilaterally and multilaterally, to resolve their differences. The urgency of the situation, as well as the hope inspired by the Clinton-Kim and Hyun-Kim meetings, has given rise to the following joint citizens’ statement drafted by South Koreans, Americans and Japanese.

 

At the beginning of this year President Obama called for dialogue and cooperation with North Korea and stated his readiness to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. Throughout Northeast Asia and beyond, hopes soared for a diplomatic breakthrough. But military tensions actually increased and the Northeast Asian region was swept by fears of a sudden change in the nuclear situation.

 

Coinciding with the opening of the Supreme People’s Assembly, Pyongyang announced that it would launch a satellite. It did so on the very day that President Obama gave his Prague speech seeking “a world free from nuclear weapons.” President Obama criticized North Korea for breach of the “rules” and said “violations must be punished.” The Security Council condemned the launch in a presidential statement and tightened existing sanctions.

 

On 25 May, North Korea responded to what it viewed as the statement’s infringement on its sovereign right by conducting a nuclear test. In response, on 12 June, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1874 to punish North Korea for what it believed was a breach of its previous resolutions. On 2 and 4 July, North Korea in turn tested four short and seven medium-range ballistic missiles, prompting further calls for tightening the grip of Resolution 1874 and other measures. The vicious cycle of confrontation in which hardline response elicits hardline response, must be broken.

 

Security Council Resolution 1874 prohibited North Korea from exporting weapons, threatened its ships with inspection, and specified items that could be confiscated. If a North Korean ship were to be interdicted by the US, South Korea, or Japan, the tensions in Northeast Asia could reach critical level.

 

There has to be a turning back if Northeast Asia is not again to be engulfed in war. The situation that brought on the crisis must be reexamined and realistic policies adopted to avert conflict. This is something that all related governments have called for since the early summer of this year. Now, following the Clinton-Kim Jong-il and Hyun-Kim meetings, we recommend the following.

 

First, we urgently call on President Obama and Chairman Kim to return to a course of dialogue and negotiation, and to take resolute steps to reduce tensions. To that end, we urge that they immediately open US-North Korea negotiation, whether by public or non-public, bilateral or multilateral means, including by the dispatch of a special envoy. The two leaders should make clear that the goal of such negotiation is to normalize the relationship between the two countries, end the state of war, and denuclearize the Korean peninsula. As a first step, they should declare that they recognize each other’s sovereignty and accept the US-DPRK Joint Communiqué of October 2000 as a basis for their dialogue.

 

Second, in order to persuade North Korea to end its nuclear weapons development, we call on the nuclear weapon states of the Northeast Asian region – the US, Russia and China – to show readiness for nuclear disarmament in accord with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Further, Japan and South Korea should recognize that the US nuclear umbrella (extended nuclear deterrent), on which they themselves rely, has to be on the agenda for the denuclearization of Northeast Asia. Toward this end, the six governments should reiterate their commitment to the goals of the September 19, 2005 Statement, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and creation of a regional peace structure, and convene a Northeast Asian disarmament conference to lower the level of regional military preparations, including conventional arms as well as weapons of mass destruction.

 

Third, we call on Japan to recommit to a path of negotiating with North Korea. The Japanese government and people have been calling for the punishment of North Korea over the abduction question. Japan has also banned North Korean exports and North Korean ships from entering its ports while banning exports to North Korea. Diplomatic negotiations have completely broken down. Japan has refused to fulfil its obligations to provide oil to North Korea under the Six-Party agreements. Japan also took the lead in calling for UN sanctions over the rocket launch. The Japanese government and people must be aware of their own historical responsibility for the present crisis and reopen negotiations to normalize relations with North Korea on the basis of the Pyongyang Declaration of September 17, 2002.

 

Fourth, we call on the government and people of South Korea to take up the valuable opening provided by Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun’s recent visit to Pyongyang and the North Korean authorities’ release of a South Korean citizen long detained in the Kaesung area, making clear that they unconditionally oppose raising military tensions on the Korean peninsula and that they will not participate in inspection of North Korean ships. South Korea should strive to construct opportunities to improve relations with the North. Just as the North-South summit meeting of July 2000 provided a historic moment toward dissolving the Cold War regime in Northeast Asia, so the South Korean government should now take the initiative to resolve new tensions in the region by honoring previous summit agreements and returning to a course of dialogue and cooperation with North Korea.

 

Fifth, we call on the governments of China and Russia, with their deep familiarity with issues pertaining to North Korea, the security of Northeast Asia, and the nuclear arms race, to halt the cycle of escalation and bring the parties in conflict back to the negotiating table by proposing reconciliation among them and committing to the elimination of nuclear weapons and general arms reduction in Northeast Asia.

 

Finally, we urge the Secretary General, the President of the Security Council, and the United Nations as a whole, to reverse the cycle of escalation and make maximum efforts to bring all parties back to the negotiating table for resolution of the full range of nuclear and peace issues including US-DPRK and Japan-DPRK normalization and a peace treaty to end the Korean War.

 

2009.8.20.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

 

Kang Mangil, Professor Emeritus of History at Korea University / Former President of Sangji University

Paik Nakchung, Professor Emeritus of English at Seoul National University / South Korean Chair Emeritus of the All-Korean Committee for Implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration

Suh, David Kwangsun, Professor Emeritus of Theology at Ewha Woman’s University

Lee Hyojae, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Ewha Womans University

Chung Hyunback, Professor of History at Sungkyunkwan University

Cho Uhn, Professor of Sociology at Dongguk University

Milan Hejtmanek, Professor of Korean History at Seoul National University

Han Wansang, Former President of Hansung University / Former Minister of Unification

Hong Changyee, Professor Emeritus of Medicine at Seoul National University

Kim Youngjak, Professor Emeritus of Politics, Kookmin University / Former National Assemblyman

Koh Yuhwan, Professor of North Korean Studies at Dongguk University

Park Sunsong, Professor of North Korean Studies at Dongguk University

Paik Haksoon, Director of Inter-Korean Relations Studies Program, Sejong Institute

Go Un, Poet / Former President of Writers Association of Korea / Former Chairman of People’s Arts Association for Korean Artists

Kong Jiyoung, Novelist

Kim Byongik, Literary Critic / Standing Adviser of Literature and Intellect Publishers / Former Chairman of Arts Council Korea

Kim Yoonsoo, Art Critic / Former Chair-person of The Korean People Artist Federation

Shin Kyungrim, Poet / Professor at Dongguk University

Yom Mooung, Literary Critic

Lee Changdong, Film Director/ Former Minister of Culture and Tourism

Hyun Kiyoung, Novelist / Former Director, Korean Culture and Arts Foundation

 

Kim Byungsang, Monsignor, Roman Cathol Church

Kim Sangkeun, Protestant Minister / South Korean Chair of the All-Korean Committee for Implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration

Myongjin, Abbot of Bong-eun Buddhist Temple

Lee Sunjong, Head of Won-Buddhist Seoul Diocese

Yu Kyeongjae, Minister, Korean Presbyterian Church

Chunghwa, Former Director of Bureau of Education, Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

Ham Seiung, Catholic Priest / President of the Korea Democracy Foundation

 

Park Jaeseung, Former President of Korean Bar Association

Choi Byungmo, Former President of Lawyers for a Democratic Society

Hahn Seunghun, Lawyer / Former Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea

 

Kim Yoonok, Former Chair-person of the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan

Park Sangjeung, Chairman, the Beautiful Foundation

Park Youngsook, Former Chair-person of the Korea Foundation for Women

Park Wonsoon, Chief Executive Director of the Hope Institute

Oh Jaeshik, Former President of World Vision Korea

Lee Moonsook, Director of Korea Church Women United

Lee Sooho, Former President of Korean Confederation of Trade Unions

Lee Changbok, Co-Chair of Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation / Former National Assemblyman

Lee Haehak, President, Successors of June Democratic Movement

Lim Dongwon, Chair-person of The Hankyoreh Foundation for Reunification and Culture / Former Minister of Unification

Lim Chaejung, Former Speaker of the National Assembly

Jung Kangja, Former Standing Commissioner, National Human Rights Commission of Korea / Former Chair-person of Korean Womenlink

 

 

 

Charles Armstrong, Director, Center for Korean Research, Columbia University

Edward Baker, Associate, Harvard-Yenching Institute, Harvard University

Herbert P. Bix, Professor of history, Binghamton University

Richard Broinowski, Australian diplomat (retired), Ambassador to the Republic of Korea 1987 to 1989

Noam Chomsky, Professor of Linguistics (emeritus), MIT

Anthony DiFilippo, Professor of Sociology, Lincoln University

Alexis Dudden, Associate Professor of History, University of Connecticut

Henry Em, Associate Professor, East Asian Studies, New York University

Matthew Evangelista, Professor and Chair, Government, Cornell University

John Gittings, Centre of Chinese Studies, SOAS, London

Andrew Gordon, Professor of History, Harvard University

Mel Gurtov, Professor Emeritus, Political Science, Portland State University

Tom Grunfeld, Professor, Empire State College, State University of New York

Kimie Hara, Professor of History, University of Waterloo, Canada

Martin Hart-Landsberg, Professor of Economics, Lewis and Clark College

Laura Hein, Professor of History, Northwestern University

J.E. Hoare, HM’s Diplomatic Service (retired), British Representative in Pyongyang 2001-2002

Samuel S. Kim, Senior Research Scholar, Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Columbia University

Victor Koschmann, Professor and Chair, History, Cornell University

Peter Kuznick, Director, Nuclear Studies Institute, American University

Namhee Lee, Associate Professor, UCLA

Catherine Lutz, Professor, Watson Institute for International Studies, Brown University

Gavan McCormack, Professor Emeritus, Australian National University

Katharine H.S. Moon, Professor of Political Science, WellesleyCollege

Sam Noumoff, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Mark Selden, Senior Research Associate, East Asia Program, Cornell University

Alvin So, Professor, Social Sciences, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology

Jae-Jung Suh, Director of Korean Studies, Johns Hopkins University

Immanuel Wallerstein, Senior Research Fellow, Yale University

Theodore Jun Yoo, Associate Professor, University of Hawaii at Manoa

 

 

 

Asai Motofumi, Director, Hiroshima Peace Institute

Endo Seiji, Professor, Seikei University / President, Peace Studies Association of Japan

Fukamizu Masakatsu, Priest / Former Secretary General, Japanese Catholic Council for Justice and Peace

Fukuyama Shingo, Secretary General, Forum for Peace, Human Rights and Environment

Gabe Masaaki, Professor, Ryukyu University

Ishida Takeshi, Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo

Ishizaka Koichi, Associate Professor, Rikkyo University / Chairman, National Coalition for Normalization of Japan-DPRK Relations

Ito Narihiko, Professor Emeritus, Chuo University

Kan Sang Jun, Professor, University of Tokyo

Karatani Kojin, Critic

Kato Setsu, Professor, Seikei University

Kawasaki Akira, Executive Committee member, Peace Boat

Komori Yoichi, Professor, University of Tokyo

Koseki Shoichi, Professor, Dokkyo University

Maeda Tetsuo, Military Analyst

Murai Yoshitoshi, Professor, Waseda University

Mushakoji Kinhide, Director, Asian-Pacific Research Center, Osaka Keiho University

Oe Kenzaburo, Novelist

Okamoto Atsushi, Editor-in-chief, Magazine

Ota Masahide, Former Governor of Okinawa Prefecture

Saito Junichi, Professor, Waseda University

Sakamoto Yoshikazu, Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo

Shimizu Sumiko, Chairperson Forum for Peace, Human Rights and Environment / Former Member of Parliament

Shirayanagi Seiichi, Cardinal

Shoji Tsutomu, Protestant Priest / Director, Koryo Museum

Soh Sung, Director, Center for Korean Studies, Ritsumeikan University

Takahashi Tetsuya, Professor, Tokyo University

Takasaki Soji, Professor, Tsuda Women University

Teruoka Toshiko, Professor Emeritus, Saitama University

Tsujii Takashi, Novelist and Poet

Tsurumi Shunsuke, Philosopher

Ukai Akira, Professor, Hitotsubashi University

Umebayashi Hiromichi, Special Advisor, Peace Depot Inc.

Utsumi Aiko, Professor Emeritus, Keisen Women University

Wada Haruki, Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo

Yamamuro Hideo, Former Chief Commentator of the NHK