Anti-unification remarks Ex-presidential aide under fire for sympathizing with NK's stance Im Jong-seok, the former chief aide to ex-President Moon Jae-in, has sparked controversy with a recent remark seemingly aligning with North Korea's anti-unification stance. Speaking at a ceremony commemorating the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 19 Pyongyang Declaration, Im stated that he opposes national unification with North Korea, advocating instead for peaceful coexistence as two separate nations. He triggered additional controversy by suggesting the removal of Article 3 from South Korea's Constitution, which defines the nation's territory as the Korean Peninsula and its adjacent islands. He also called for the abolition of both the National Security Act and the Ministry of Unification. His remarks surprised many, as Im has long been a staunch advocate of Korean unification, dating back to his time as a leader in the student movement. This shift in his stance has drawn criticism and raised questions about his ev olving views on inter-Korean relations. In his role as the head of the now-defunct National Council of Student Representatives, Im orchestrated the 1989 visit of Lim Su-kyung to North Korea. It is baffling to witness him suddenly renounce his lifelong advocacy of national unification, especially considering his past leadership in preparing the historic 2018 inter-Korean summit. His recent anti-unification remarks have thus come as an unexpected shock. He explained his shift in stance on unification by pointing to the evolving inter-Korean relations and changing public perceptions. "Discussing unification without a commitment to trust-building and peace is akin to attacking the other side," he said. He also criticized President Yoon Suk Yeol, accusing him of provoking conflict with North Korea while disguising his unification policy as a means to maintain peace through force. He went on to say that a growing number of people, particularly among the younger generation, have grown highly skeptical about natio nal unification. "It is time to move away from an obsession with unification and focus instead on solidifying the foundation for peaceful co-existence, leaving the discussion of unification to the next generation," he said. Im's statement can be interpreted as prioritizing peace over unification. However, it is disappointing to see him dismiss unification, a long-cherished national aspiration. His remarks appear inappropriate, as they align with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's stance from late last year. During a party meeting, Kim declared that the South and North were no longer brethren, labeling the South as an enemy in a hostile relationship. He outright rejected the possibility of unification, claiming it could never be realized. Im stopped short of fully endorsing Kim's remark. "There cannot be two states in hostile relations. There should be two countries that coexist peacefully," he said. Despite this, his comments sparked criticism. Ruling People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Rep. Choo Kyung-ho expressed dismay, questioning, "How could Im, once a fervent advocate of unification, change his stance and now align with the North's two-state policy?" In fact, many scholars and experts argue for adopting new unification policies to align with evolving social and political circumstances. Some even suggest exploring diverse options, such as a two-state system with robust human exchanges. However, outright rejecting the idea of national unification at this stage seems premature and excessive. Peace and unification are values that should be pursued simultaneously. Of course, national unification cannot be achieved overnight. However, this should not serve as an excuse to abandon efforts or indefinitely postpone the goal. In this context, Im's suggestion of delaying discussions on unification for 30 years seems misplaced and demonstrates a lack of commitment. The current generation should commit to making every possible effort to advance unification, rather than deferring this significant and challenging iss ue to future generations. Source: Yonhap News Agency
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