Northeast Asia Peace Initiative
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- Northeast Asia Peace Initiative
- Written by: Masahisa Hayashi, Professor of Public Economics, Waseda University, Japan
Many present democracies in Asia including South Korea and Taiwan have gone through the stage of an authoritarian political system until their countries matured sufficiently to adopt a full-fledged western-style democracy. The Kim Jong-il regime might be a necessary evil in the process of a soft landing. We hear that he is a flexible and pragmatic man, and with proper guidance and aid from outside he may become a valuable instrument for the soft landing of North Korea.
- Northeast Asia Peace Initiative
- Written by: Cho Sun-nak
North Koreans are very ideologically oriented, strong in morals and ethics. But the problem is they do not have a lot to eat and wear. Once they solve these basic needs they will gain self confidence. When you are hungry you can still say that you are full, but ultimately you cannot hide your suffering face. For this reason, the North Korean authorities do not really look forward to the family reunions that are from time to time being arranged between families separated between North and South, because of the difference in appearance between the North and South Koreans.