Hope springs eternal for unification

Celine Dion’s rendition of “Hymne à l’amour” at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics was truly breathtaking. It reminded me of “Nostalgic Mt. Geumgang” – one of the most beloved Korean songs about Mount Geumgang located in North Korea – which was sung by virtuoso soprano Sumi Jo at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate in July 2015. Her performance was the culmination of the 14,400-km. journey of the Eurasia Friendship Express from Vladivostok to Berlin.

The Eurasia Friendship Express, an initiative to foster peace and prosperity of Eurasia through exchanges and cooperation among countries in Eurasia, also reflected Korea’s national aspiration for a unified Korea. During the trip, I accompanied then Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se as his policy advisor. I had relished the song “Nostalgic Mt. Geumgang” many times before, but Ms. Sumi Jo’s version at the finale concert in Berlin was by far the most memorable. I still vividly remember what she said on that day: “I sincerely wish that this song would be no more ‘nostalgic’ Mt. Geumgang. I hope that the day will come soon so that anyone in the world could visit this beautiful mountain anytime, without any difficulty.” Upon returning to Seoul, Foreign Minister Yun shared a ‘unification wine’ he brought from Germany, which was specially blended with the best grapes from 13 regions in Germany to commemorate the 25th anniversary of German unification.

The year I entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1991 was the time both Koreas simultaneously became members of the United Nations. At UN forums, I felt envious seeing the German delegation sitting behind a single nameplate, “Germany,” instead of East and West Germany separately. More than three decades since then, prospects for Korean unification remain grim. Recently, North Korea has even described inter-Korean relations as “the relations of two hostile and belligerent countries, not those of fellow countrymen.” The widening gap between North and South Korea is poignantly captured by Elon Musk’s X post in December 2023 of a satellite image contrasting the bright lights in the south against the darkness in the north. It is emblematic of the dire situation in North Korea, where people live in abject poverty under a regime that propagates lies and false hopes.

Recent defections by several North Korean officials reveal the deep disillusionment and bleak outlook in North Korea. Ri Il Kyu was a senior North Korean diplomat based in Cuba, who defected to the South before the Republic of Korea and Cuba announced the establishment of diplomatic relations in February this year. The decision was a huge blow and setback to Pyongyang. When interviewed, Ri said, “Every North Korean thinks at least once about living in South Korea.”

Starting this year, the Republic of Korea observes North Korean Defectors’ Day on July 14th, demonstrating the government’s unwavering commitment to protect and support North Korean defectors. In its inaugural ceremony, President Yoon Suk Yeol urged warm compassion and support for defectors, emphasizing that their experiences are invaluable assets for unification of the two Koreas. In the South, North Korean defectors are regarded as “unification that came early,” underscoring the need for greater attention and investment in anticipation of the future integration of the two Koreas.

Particular attention should be given to the systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations in North Korea that constitute crimes against humanity, which can only be remedied when the world acts together. At the recent International Dialogue on North Korean Human Rights in Washington D.C., famous Korean actor Yoo Ji-tae, in his capacity as ambassador for North Korean human rights appointed by the Ministry of Unification, lamented the lack of freedom of expression and the severe punishment for merely watching South Korean dramas or listening to K-pop. He emotionally stated, “It is not injustice itself, but our indifference that nurtures injustice.”

It is encouraging to see the growing interest of the international community, including the UN Security Council, on addressing North Korea’s human rights abuses along with its obsessive pursuit of nuclear programs. Dealing with only one aspect while ignoring the other is to miss the comprehensive nature of the North’s draconian control and oppression of its own people that fuels its weapons development. Under the presidency of the Republic of Korea last June, the UN Security Council held an open briefing on the human rights situation in North Korea. The meeting was particularly timely as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the COI (Commission of Inquiry) Report on Human Rights in the DPRK.

Our unification efforts must become a beacon and source of hope not only for the people of North Korea but also for those suffering from tyranny and dictatorship in other parts of the world. As unification is such a daunting task, we cannot accomplish this intergenerational mission alone. The international community must pool its resources and remain steadfast in its actions. In this regard, the Spirit of Camp David, a joint statement adopted in August 2023 by the Republic of Korea, the United States and Japan, is a welcome development. The leaders stressed how a unity of purpose can lead to a better world, as they voiced support for a peaceful unification of the two Koreas grounded on liberal democratic principles.

On March 1 this year, President Yoon, in his speech to commemorate the March First Independence Movement Day – a pivotal moment in 1919 rallying for Korea’s independence – emphasized that independence will only be complete upon unification of the Korean Peninsula that brings “freedom and abundance to everyone.” It resonates with Hongik Ingan, the founding principle of our nation, which translates to “broadly benefiting humankind.” President Yoon criticized North Korea’s regime for its reliance on nuclear weapons and missiles while trapping its citizens “in a quagmire of misery and despair,” and stressed that a free and unified Korea will contribute to peace and prosperity not only in Northeast Asia but also in the Indo-Pacific region and the rest of the world.

Furthermore, in his message on the occasion of Korea’s 79th Liberation Day on Aug. 15, President Yoon, stressing that complete liberation remains an unfinished task until unification, presented his vision and tasks for moving toward a unified Korean peninsula. The speech represents our unshakable resolve and determination to realize a brighter future for all the people on the Korean peninsula. As a central tenet, it unambiguously demonstrates our unwavering belief in freedom and humanity. For this noble aspiration, we are relying on the strong support of our friends and partners who uphold the same core values such as freedom, human rights and the rule of law. Unification will be a divine opportunity, so much so that it should be seized when it presents itself. As the saying goes, “If God passes in front of you, you must firmly grasp God’s coattails.”

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Lee Sang-hwa is the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines.