By: Pierre Bono

Often overlooked until moments of fiery North Korean rhetoric or territorial skirmishes, the relationship between the United States and South Korea has been, and will continue to be, a powerful alliance offering a degree of political and economic stability to a region divided by differences of ideology at almost every level. However, regardless of past or even current conflicts and animosity from either side, it is important to recognize the Korean dichotomy as an issue that cannot be resolved with further division and belligerence from either side.

As Korean Consul-General to Boston, Kangho Park, emphasized during his lecture at Suffolk’s Poetry Center on Nov. 7, the intentions of South Korea are to redefine the relationship between itself and their northern counterparts. Effectively moving the dynamic from one of tension and bitterness to cooperation in the name of what Park referred to as Trust-Politik. Trust-Politik is being implemented in the hopes of creating a “new kind of Korea”.

In a statement presented by Consul-General Park, current president of South Korea Park Geun-hye believes that it is necessary to pursue “peace through a combined effort to rebuild trust, which can transform the Korean peninsula from a zone of conflict into a zone of peace.” Very hopeful rhetoric, however, rhetoric will not resolve any of the differences and injustices that continue to plague the Korean peninsula.

Going forward, it will be important to balance security and cooperation, by moving to address the issues that plague the region such as a burgeoning North Korean nuclear program, as well as the possible proliferation of that technology, widespread human-rights abuses, and economic insolvency; all of which make a productive and safe relationship difficult to muster.

Consul General Park also referred to the necessity of a proactive international commitment to influence and hopefully convince North Korean leadership that its model of statehood cannot be maintained, and that South Korean intentions are not geared towards the destruction of the north but rather towards the reconciliation and possible reunification of all Korean people, many of who have been separated from their families since the Korean War in the 1950s.

It is also important to continue in the support of joint endeavors such as the Kaesong Industrial Complex, which unites the South Korean capital and technology with North Korean land and labor. This shared economic zone should serve as a beacon of hope. Comprised of 123 factories and approximately 54,000 workers the Kaesong Industrial Complex has generated $1.97 billion since 2005. The complex serves as monumental feat of productivity in cooperation that should stand as a shining example of what can be achieved between these two countries.

Although the road will be long and difficult, it is a road worth taking. Legitimate efforts to communicate and cooperate with North Korea in a fair and open way are the only option to achieve any degree of enduring peace and stability in the region. It would be catastrophic to allow North Korea to collapse in on itself or to engage in war as a resolution. Both sides will have to come to the table and sacrifice, but to do so the two parties as well as the rest of the international community need to change its tone and attitudes. Bellicose rhetoric, displays of strength, and western high-mindedness represent tendencies that have fueled tension and aggravated a sensitive relationship.

Going forward, the behavior and decisions made by both sides will have long and enduring repercussions in the region and it is in the best interest of the U.S. as well as the international community to do all it can to support a resolution and work towards peace on the Korean peninsula.