The two summits meeting of South and North is expected to be held in June, first time ever since the Korean war. This is actually the second official announcement of the event; the first historic attempt between ex-president, Kim Young-sam and Kim Il-sung in 1994, had been called off due to the Pyungyang leader's sudden death. Such a tension and an interest focused on the event with careful presumption of what will be discussed between the two.
The Argus met Choi Wan-gyu, the professor in the Graduate School of North Korea Studies, the first research school on the North Korea society, established in 1998. Choi is the celebrated expert in the field and also the author of 'Where is the North headed to?' which was said to discuss the quite reality of the North, in 1996.

Reporter: It is announced that the South and North summits meeting is going to be held in June. Most Koreans are paying a great attention to this meeting. What meaning would you find in this two summits meeting in the 21 century?

Choi Wan-gyu: It has two meanings, generally. One is that this could be a really unifying meeting of the two leaders between the nations. The other one is a kind of an official and perfunctory meeting, which would generally agree on the already made negotiations between the both sides. However, as we know, the meeting would be the first meeting between the two leaders since the Korea peninsula was divided into two different systems. It may be an opportunity to remove the long-lasted misunderstanding between the two. Also this is a beginning point to establish the peace on Korea peninsula.

R: As one of the promising results form Pyongyang meeting, the separated family members are expected to meet soon. What South Korean can expect from this meeting?

C: In South Korea, this issue is considered as a humanitarian subject. On the other hand, the reunion of separated families is thought to be as a political, not a humanitarian matter in North Korea. These are one complex circumstance behind the matter. Not only the seniors who have been parted from their families by 38th parallel but also many descendants are interested in the issue. That's why this problem will be solved gradually, no matter when, but we must not expect too much opening of North Korea.

R: Can you explain how the North Korea has changed their attitude to foreign countries over past several years, especially to the South Korea?

C: There are about four different ways to explain the word 'change' when we talk about the attitude. First is their policy changes. Second is the shift-overs in political powers. Structural changes in the society is another. And lastly a new principle in defining a country would be the one. In case of North Korea, the second subject, tracing political power shift-overs could explain their changes and trends. It is so important for them to keep their communistic conception. Even if there is a necessity to reform, they wouldn't just easily give up their ideology. In other words, they are open limitedly to those that would not effect their structure. Which means that their changes are pretty much gradual and slow.

R: What do you think about the nongovernmental exchanges between the two countries with President Kim's 'Sunshine policy?'

C: Quite many people think that supporting North Korea needs to be stopped because the goods do not seemed to be distributed evenly to the public but to the army mostly. This is not desirable consideration at this time. The more we donate, the more goods must be given to the poor, our brothers and sisters.
This is essential. Let's suppose that we were one nation, why wouldn't we help those people in northern side. This is aid sharing the pains and suffers of our people. In addition, the governmental aid must ceaselessly bring more private companies to participate.

R: What do you think is the desirable policy for reunification of Korea?

C: It is impossible for two Koreas to unite perfectly through negotiations, I think. How on earth two Koreas can become one country with satisfying interests of each party which holds totally different systems and ideas? If the country must be united in one system, there is no way but to appeal to arms or make a new project absorbing two different systems. Breaking down one structure by the other system without war is impossible, too.
There are two aspects in the unification. One is a federal system which means that there are two different systems in one country. It has small chance because the power of the central government is so strong in both countries. The other one is becoming the United States of Korea as an independent country with mutual consent which is based on the international law. In other words, two different countries, after all, get to exist in Korea peninsula.
 It is a long way to solve the complicated problem with conflicted interests. Now we need to convert the traditional policy to realistic one. We must try not to unite legally by signing at a time but to arrive at peace and normalization of diplomatic ties gradually.

R: Finally, would you tell me about the viewpoints of reunification that the university students must have at present?

C: I heard that many students have a negative viewpoint on the unification. They need to look at the unification in the long run. Unless the two Koreas are united, we cannot remove restriction in the domestic and external negotiations. From the national viewpoint, it is so reasonable to reunite the same people. At the same time, other nations could never treat us coldly and use our war-break-out possibly as a negotiating weakpoint.

By Song Hye-min ( argusnews@maincc.hufs.ac.kr)