Sunshine policy

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Korean spelling
Korean alphabet : 햇볕 정책
Revised Romanization : Haetbyeotjeongchaek
McCune-Reischauer : Haetbyŏtjŏngch'aek

The sunshine policy is part of South Korea's foreign policy towards North Korea . In 2000 , the South Korean President Kim Dae-jung received the Nobel Peace Prize for this .

The sunshine policy was introduced by Kim Dae-jung to peacefully resolve the division of the Korean Peninsula . It was officially continued by Kim's successor, Roh Moo-hyun . The sunshine policy contrasts with past programs designed to keep North Korea in check.

The name sunshine policy comes from Aesop's fable of sunshine and north wind , in which the cold north wind tries in vain to take off a person's winter coat. The sunshine, however, succeeds easily. The main aim of the policy is to encourage North Korea to open up to the South by promoting exchanges and economic support.

principle

The sunshine policy has three principles:

  • no military action from the north is accepted
  • the south is definitely not aiming to incorporate the north
  • the south is actively seeking cooperation

Main aspects

The sunshine policy is based on the belief that the regime in North Korea will not collapse or disintegrate anytime soon. The current economic situation is not believed to undermine the regime, even if it is a permanent state of affairs.

Furthermore, the Sunshine Policy is based on the belief that military tensions can be reduced through bilateral and multilateral agreements. This highlights the normalization of political and economic relations between the US and North Korea as well as Japan and North Korea.

general guidelines

  • Inter-Korean dialogue is maintained by sending high-profile delegations from each other. This point implements a 1991 agreement in principle.
  • South Korea is contributing US $ 3.2 billion (75% of the total cost) to build two light water reactors in North Korea.
  • Politics and economy are separated. This means that legal processes will be simplified and restrictions on South Korean investment in North Korea will be lifted.
  • Humanitarian aid in the form of food and agricultural aid is being sent to North Korea. This should help the North overcome the current food crisis.
  • Family reunions are encouraged. Such associations allow selected families who were separated during the partition of the Korean Peninsula in the Korean War to meet relatives from the other part of the country in special meetings.