South Korea's vision of a freedom-based unification is a provocative approach that is unlikely to elicit a positive response from the North Korean leadership, says University of Cambridge's Peter Han.
South Korea 's vision of a freedom-based unification is a provocative approach that is unlikely to elicit a positive response from the North Korean leadership, says University of Cambridge's Peter Han.
This approach suggests the South Korean government will continue its hands-off policy towards the activists who have for months beenYoon’s government has refrained from intervening with the activities of these activists, who are mainly North Korean defectors. It has even cited a Constitutional Court ruling from 2023 that declared these actions protected under freedom of expression.
The number of successful defections dropped significantly from 2020 after North Korea sealed its borders during the pandemic. But after border controls eased again in 2023, the annual number of defectors making it to the South almost tripled to 196. Recently, on Aug 20, Seoul’s military announced it had picked up aFurthermore, Seoul envisions that an influx of information could lead to a popular uprising in the North.
Yoon’s commitment to developing a new vision for Korean unification can be traced back several months. In March, South Korea’s presidential office announced its intention to update the National Community Unification Formula, which since 1994 has been the government’s official unification policy. Seoul’s decision to review and update its unification formula also came after Kim reportedly abandoned hopes for unification in January. In a speech delivered at North Korea’s parliament, he said the constitution should be changed to designate the South as the “
So, retaliation against Seoul’s freedom-based unification overtures should be expected. North Korea has already sent hundreds of balloons filled with excrement and trash into South Korea as a response to the leaflet launches. And in June, Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, warned of additional retaliatory measures if they continue, saying South Korea should be “ready to pay a gruesome and dear price”.
From North Korea Yoon Suk Yeol Reunification
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