[Square] COVID-19, the Spring Breeze Blowing Through Inter-Korean Cooperation

Lee Gwan-se, Director of the Far East Issues Research Institute at Gyeongnam National University and former Vice Minister of Unification

One day, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) suddenly arrived. There are several reasons why we fear COVID-19, one of which is the uncertainty about how it will impact our lives. Henry Kissinger, a world-renowned scholar and former U.S. Secretary of State, recently stated in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), "The world after COVID-19 will never be the same as before. While the health crisis caused by the virus is temporary, the political and economic upheavals may last for generations." This change has already begun in inter-Korean relations as well.

April 27 marks the second anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration agreed upon by the leaders of South and North Korea in 2018. Under normal circumstances, the two Koreas would have discussed joint events to celebrate the anniversary. However, regardless of inter-Korean relations, joint events are hardly expected amid the COVID-19 situation. Earlier this year, the government showed its willingness to advance inter-Korean relations. President Moon Jae-in emphasized practical measures for inter-Korean cooperation to expand the scope of engagement in his New Year's address. The Ministry of Unification proactively introduced the individual tourism card, which does not violate international sanctions against North Korea. Ironically, COVID-19 has hindered these efforts.

COVID-19 represents a non-traditional security threat. Unlike traditional security, which is primarily military-focused, non-traditional security encompasses non-military issues such as food, health, environment, energy, and economy. Non-traditional security threats have three key characteristics compared to traditional security. First, the threat originates externally. Second, the causes and impacts of the threat are mostly transnational, not confined by geographic boundaries. Third, unlike traditional security threats that are temporary, non-traditional security threats tend to persist long-term.

Accordingly, responses to non-traditional security threats can be summarized in three characteristics. First, since there is no tension between actors, an open and cooperative approach is possible. Second, joint responses are necessary to effectively resolve the threat. Third, long-term, multifaceted, and multidimensional cooperation is required. South Korea’s spirit of "solidarity and cooperation" in responding to COVID-19 aligns with these characteristics.

The importance of non-traditional security cooperation highlighted by COVID-19 has significant implications for inter-Korean relations in the changing global order after the pandemic. President Moon already proposed joint responses in non-traditional security areas such as human and livestock infectious diseases, border area disasters, and climate change on the Korean Peninsula in his March 1st Independence Movement Day speech this year. Such non-traditional security cooperation could serve as a breakthrough in the deadlocked inter-Korean relations and even act as a driving force to overcome traditional security threats.

Inter-Korean cooperation on non-traditional security issues can shift the negative perception of past inter-Korean cooperation by being a positive-sum game that enables mutually beneficial collaboration rather than one-sided aid projects. Above all, non-traditional security cooperation comprehensively improves the quality of life in terms of human rights, economy, health, and environment, ensuring the safety of all residents on both sides of the border. Therefore, it is expected to receive broad support regardless of ideological spectrums concerning inter-Korean relations. Furthermore, as the two Koreas jointly respond to common threats, mutual trust will naturally accumulate, paving the way toward lasting peace. Lastly, given the need for long-term responses between the two Koreas, it is necessary to build sustainable inter-Korean relations and enable North Korea to enter multilateral cooperation frameworks.

On the occasion of the second anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration, we look forward to a decisive decision by the leaders of the Korean Peninsula to change the game. COVID-19 could be either a late frost in the spring of the Korean Peninsula or a warm spring breeze. It depends on the determination of both authorities.

Lee Kwan-se, Director of the Far East Institute at Gyeongnam National University and former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Unification