South Korean officials are trying to mend ties with North Korea after a year of virtually no exchange or cooperation between the two following president Lee Myung-bak's execution of the "May 24 Measures" in reaction to the sinking of the warship Cheonan and the bombing of Yeonpyeong Island. Chairman of the Grand National Party (in the U.S.=Republican Party) representative Hong Joon-pyo recently visited the Gaeseong Industrial Complex just across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to survey the 120 South Korean companies with factories setup there to promote economic cooperation (cheap labor for the South and jobs for the North), but who have been hit hard by downturns in the economy, and especially, the frozen relations between the two countries. I can see the benefits for both sides (47,000 North Korean out of work and 120 companies with no employees), so renewed relations are in the best interest of both countries, economically. The bigger issue of unification and dealing with North Korea in other political matters are much more complex. The writer's tone does not give me knowledge of his intent, but his lack of negative response leads me to believe he is in agreeance with inter-Korean dialogue and possibly unification.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/10/116_95826.html
Very good summary of the issues, Brent! You made complex political issues much easier to understand, yet maintained a solid level of detail. I must confess that Korean politics are somewhat foreign (pardon the pun) to me, so I appreciate the clarification for those of us who are less well-versed. Thank you for explicitly including your own interpretation as well; it helps me to know that you've been thinking about the issues as you summarize them. Well done!
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