"A way toward peaceful reunification could be paved if we build corridors between the two Koreas that can connect the environment, people's livelihoods and the two societies, thus first realizing a 'small-scale reunification,'" said President Park Geun-hye in a recent interview with Europolitics, a European news magazine.

In the article, titled, "European integration is an exemplary model for Asia," printed in the autumn edition of the magazine, President Park said, "To achieve the goal, it is necessary to open channels for exchanges and cooperation, starting with practicable areas. I will strive to achieve this by working together with the North on three agenda items: addressing humanitarian issues facing people in both Koreas, building infrastructure to improve people's livelihoods and to promote co-prosperity, and, finally, restoring a sense of common identity between South and North Koreans."

Regarding reunification of the Korean Peninsula, the president stressed that, "A reunified Korea would become the starting point for a nuclear-free world and for cooperation in Northeast Asia as well. For such reasons, we in Korea must begin making efforts now to reduce the economic gap between the South and North, before reunification comes, and to recover a sense of our cultural and social commonalities."



Speaking of her Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative, Park said, "In Asia, amidst continuously increasing exchanges between nations, conflict and tension concerning history, territory and maritime security are on the rise, a phenomenon I call the 'Asian paradox.' This initiative seeks to develop a habit of cooperation among Northeast Asian countries, starting with practical areas, such as nuclear safety, responding to climate change and disaster relief, and to build a multilateral cooperation process similar to that in Europe."

As for the role of Europe, the president said, "It is necessary to continue 'critical engagement' to urge the North to change its course and to make ceaseless efforts to improve human rights in the North. I will work hard to enlist the support and cooperation from our ASEM partners for the peaceful reunification policy of the Korean government."

Regarding the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) scheduled for October 16 and 17, Park said, "The other key topic at the summit, 'Connectivity Between Asia and Europe,' also echoes Korea's own Eurasia Initiative, which is designed to help link Asia and Europe both physically and institutionally, rising above the disconnects and conflicts, and build together a new prosperous Eurasia through communication and openness."

By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
jun2@korea.kr