Soft Power is back in Korea

남북 정상간에 10통 넘는 편지가 교류되었다고 합니다. 한민족 단결(團結)의 시간이 왔다는 것을 의미하는 듯 합니다. 2018년 한반도 평화의 시간은 남북이 자주적으로 단결되었을때 열렸습니다. 미국이 열어 준 것이 아닙니다. 그리고 남북이 단결되지 않았을때 그 시간은 무너져 버렸습니다.

다시 한번 남북 단결의 시간이 왔습니다. 우리 자신, 우리 나라, 우리 민족만을 위한 평화라면 70년 분단, 전쟁상태에 있는 우리의 현재 모습이 얼마나 초라하겠습니까? 오랫동안 기다리고 준비해온 평화입니다. 한반도 평화는 전 세계의 약소국들에게 희망을 줄 것입니다. 세계 역사상 강대국에 실력으로 당당하게 저항, 항구적인 평화를 이룬 첫 케이스가 될 것입니다.

전쟁과 분단은 일시적이나, 한민족 단결과 평화는 영원할 것이란 믿음을 가집시다. 그러한 강철같은 믿음앞에 그 어떤 도전도 굴복할 것입니다. 통일과 평화를 위한 우리의 역사적 사명과 운명, 그리고 지금 우리의 힘들지만 희망찬 조국의 시간을 모두 뜨겁게 받아 들이고 사랑합시다.

시몬천 드림

Good news! Soft Power is back in Korea. Will the United States do the same?

Stop the US-ROK Joint Military Drill in August!

In order for the latest inter-Korean opening to be developed into the improvement of inter-Korean relations and reducing tensions on the Korean peninsula, Biden should suspend the annual US-South Korea (ROK) combined military exercises scheduled in August.

“While the proponents of the drills claim they are necessary in order to maintain readiness in the event of a North Korean attack, the overwhelming practical military capability fielded by the US undermines this claim. General Vincent Brooks— former USFK commander– noted that these drills are "not just a show like the parades in Pyongyang”, they are in fact provocative shows of force with the potential to trigger open war on the Korean Peninsula.”

“Soft Power” Is Back in Korea!

Soft Power: “the ability to shape the preferences of others” “without an explicit threat of exchange taking place.” (Joseph S. Nye)

7/27, on the 68th anniversary of the Armistice Agreement of the Korean War (1950 - 53), two Koreans resumed their direct hotlines that had been severed for 13 months since June 2020 after a failed second summit in February between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump: 5 key points.

More than 10 letters have been exchanged between President Moon and North Korean leader Kim since April 2021.

Timing of the resumption of inter-Korean hotlines is critical:

US-North Korea talks are broken.

No action from Biden though he promises a change of approach ("practical, calibrated policy”), creating the impression that making negotiations for peace in Korea is not his priority.

The threat of reverting back to the cycle of conflict and tensions and the next nuke crisis in Korea may not be manageable.

The renewed hotline can prevent any clash--especially during the US-ROK war exercises in August--from developing into a major military crisis and to inter-Korean reconciliation.

Biden should not make the same mistake that Trump made (“nothing without our approval”), namely, blocking Koreans’ attempts to implement cooperation and nullifying President Moon’s peace initiatives. The Trump administration thwarted inter-Korean economic cooperation projects such as resuming the Kaesong Industrial Complex, tourism on Mr. Kumgang, the inter-Korean railway initiative, imposed a punitive stance against the North by imposing 27 unilateral sanctions on the North.

Biden should suspend the annual US-South Korea (ROK) combined military exercises scheduled in August.

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