EDITORIAL: Korean Rhapsody: North-South Summit Raises Expectations

Oct 08, 08:09 AM

Current Headlines: By The Oklahoman

Oct. 8--THERE'S little doubt South Korea wants a better relationship with North Korea. Reunification is its long-range goal. Since 2000, Seoul has worked hard to build economic and social ties with Pyongyang, hoping they would bridge political differences that have made the Korean peninsula one of the world's hottest spots for more than 50 years.

Last week the countries' presidents signed a commitment that seeks a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War and pledges cooperation on several fronts toward permanent peace -- including more summit meetings, expanded economic assistance, measures to reunite families and a joint fishing zone on their disputed sea frontier.

Also last week, the North agreed with other members of the six-party nuclear talks to complete the disabling of its Yongbyon nuclear facilities and to disclose all of its nuclear programs by year's end. Full nuclear disclosure was to have been done months ago, but given the overall climate last week's announcement still qualifies as progress.

As we've said before, the key to North Korea isn't how many promises Pyongyang makes, it's how many it keeps. Even in the rarified air of a North-South presidential summit, there were ominous signs. Analysts said North Korea's Kim Jong-il snubbed the South's Roh Moo-hyun at points during the visit. They said the joint declaration was remarkable for how much the North gained economically without having to commit to political or social reforms.

Roh's government, which likely will be replaced by a more conservative one after December elections, is counting on the economic intertwining of North and South to make deeper change inevitable. Maybe.

The fact is the North is running out of promises it can make without following through on something. So we'll applaud last week's announcement -- but will be more enthusiastic when North Korea actually follows through.

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