By It looks like if this guy gets approved for to head the Unification Ministry that North Korea may see an increase in the amount of aid it receives from the South:
Unification Minister nominee Yu Woo-ik said at his confirmation hearing Wednesday that he plans to seek humanitarian aid for North Korea and the reunion of families divided by the Korean War.
Responding to calls by ruling and opposition party lawmakers for changes in inter-Korean relations, Yu reaffirmed that North Korea needs to demonstrate responsible actions regarding the sinking of South Korea’s Cheonan naval vessel and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island.
While making it clear that he would continue the current government’s principles in North Korea policy, Yu said, however, he would seek methodological flexibility for real progress in relations between the two Koreas. He also added that he is considering providing humanitarian assistance.
In particular, he said he wants make family reunions a priority, hinting at the intention of seeking dialogue with the North. [KBS Global]
The cynic in me thinks that the Lee government is trying to play nice with North Korea in order to get them to behave before next year’s Presidential election. A pipeline deal and increased aid from South Korea may just do that.
She hasn’t seen...
10:34 pm on September 14th, 2011 1
“The cynic in me thinks that the Lee government is trying to play nice with North Korea in order to get them to behave before next year’s Presidential election.”
…that or they are pandering for votes. There’s also the possibility that they see North Korea’s collapse as being imminent, and there’s no way the corporations backing the government would allow that to happen. Just imagine what it would do to the value of Korean stocks and the local currency.
10:56 pm on September 14th, 2011 2
Since North Korea has the more advanced system, sozialism with self-reliance, and South Korea is suffering under capitalism and imperialism, isn’t it time for the North to aid the South?
11:00 pm on September 14th, 2011 3
In any case, if it’s votes they are pandering for, they’ve really screwed things up. South Koreans are so disgusted with North Korea (first was the sinking of the Cheonan and then the rocket attack (an act of war) that resulted in the death of a few soldiers and civilians), going soft on North Korea just as the elections are kicking in won’t win the conservatives any votes.
12:42 am on September 15th, 2011 4
I think a bunch of families of Cheonan KIA’s should sue the Unification Ministry and establish first claim on any funds allotted for NK. And that nice lady killed at Keumgangsan, her family too, and all of those villagers who had the shit shelled out of them.
12:56 am on September 16th, 2011 5
Tim Conway has no business running the Unification Ministry.