Roh’s Former Foreign Minister Attacks His Policies

Yoon Young-Kwan isn’t the only former member of his administration attacking him today, but these two criticisms seem particularly spot-on:

He fumed at North Korea, calling Pyongyang “high-handed” in its attitude while it accepts handouts from Seoul. “Economic cooperation,” he added, “should instead help a market economy develop in North Korea.”

He continued, “Emotional nationalism appears to rule our society at the moment, because an outdated resistance spirit and passive world view are rampant. Diplomacy is something you do with cool-headed calculation, not with emotions.”

Yes, I would favor engagement with North Korea if there were any evidence that it was reaching the people through the curtain of fear or leveraging needed reforms. By making the aid unconditional, South Korea simply prolongs the suffering of the people.

The timing is interesting, given that there will be bi-elections for four vacant National Assembly seats today.