It's about time that America makes a whole hearted attempt to establish ties with North Korea. This country, shrouded in mystery, fear and confusion, is one of Marx's last bastions of hope. However, our longstanding antipathy towards North Korea could be a thing of the past. President George W. Bush has the opportunity to correct history, save a nation and gain an ally. In a time of pandemic anti-American sentiment, the U nited States might have the chance to beef up its support. Mr. Bush -- it is time to defrost our relationship with North Korea.
Although Bush labeled Kim Jong-Il's country a member of the "Axis of Evil," he should truly reconsider this grouping. First of all, the "axis of evil" is composed of Middle East terrorist nations: Iraq, Libya, Syria and Iran. These regimes are obvious terrorist nations that encourage the waging of a holy war against America. Why is Korea, an emaciated Stalinist state, lumped in with these rogue terrorist states? It is true that North Korea has long range ballistic missiles and has weapons-grade fissionable material. It also has one of the world's largest standing armies. But this is the extent of North Korea's threat.
I'm sure you're thinking this is a scary thought, though. I agree. However, Pyongyang is much different than its "axis of evil" compatriots. The North Koreans are not motivated by jihad or extremist Islamic thought. North Korea is still trapped in the Cold War era, an era that touted the mutually assured destruction theory, not suicide attacks. Kim Jong-Il, the "eternal leader," still follows the tenets of Stalin -- talk about an anachronism. North Korea reverted to its roots as the Hermit Kingdom. It severed railroad lines and roads from its southern sister, South Korea, in addition to cutting itself off from the world. This isolationist policy is shockingly different than Iraq's aggressive America-taunting or Iran and Libya's grooming of jihad-driven terrorists. Clearly there is a stark difference between North Korea and its vicious brethren. Although North Korea is a potential threat, it is not nearly as menacing as Iraq.
North Korea, unlike other rogue nations, has recently made an concerted effort to establish a cordial relationship with the West. Throughout the past few months, Kim Jong-Il has tried to create a normal diplomatic rapport with Japan. In fact, Kim and Japanese Premier Koizumi have met and exchanged apologies. Japan apologized for its economic neglect. The North Korean government apologized for sinking South Korean vessels, and get this, kidnapping Japanese citizens. Throughout the 1980s, North Korean special agents captured 13 Japanese citizens and brought them to the peninsula -- a systematic espionage plot against the archipelago nation. There have even been rumors that North Korea kidnapped second-rate Japanese actresses to star in North Korean communist films. Some of these prisoners are still living within the walls of the communist regime.
Taking responsibility for these kidnappings has been a positive step for North Korea; in the past the government adamantly denied such actions. An even more promising action by the regime was the establishment of a "free trade administration" at Sinuiji, at the mouth of the Yalu River. Approximately 130 square kilometers will be set aside for foreign businessmen to come and prosper. In fact, the communist government lowered taxes in the region to encourage economic growth. This area will even have its own courts and police force.
Another promising act was the appointment of Yang Bin, a young capitalist Chinese businessman, as the zone's chief executive. This entrepreneur, schooled in the Netherlands, made his fortune in the international orchid trade. With personal assets just shy of $1 billion, he was named China's richest man by Forbes magazine. This man is a far cry from the ideal communist leader. Another sign things are changing in North Korea.
Although skeptics believe this perestroika to the West is merely a short term economic ploy, it is quite possible Kim would like to salvage his country from its dire situation. Instead of pushing Pyongyang into flexing its missile muscle, America should encourage North Korea to pursue a relationship with America. The country has slowly started to reverse its economic and political policies, and is in the process of reestablishing ties with South Korea and Japan. Great Britain has set up an embassy in Pyongyang. It is time for America to step up and heal half-century-old wounds.
