Posted on 11/18/2010 7:20:23 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
South Korea Formally Declares End to Sunshine Policy
Steve Herman | Seoul 18 November 2010
South Korea Lee Pung-no, center, weeps as he hugs with his North Korean daughters during the Separated Family Reunion Meeting at Diamond Mountain in North Korea, 03 Nov 2010
The South Korean Unification Ministry's annual report calls the Sunshine Policy of peaceful engagement with North Korea a failure.
The ministry's white paper, issued Thursday, contends a decade of cooperation, cross-border exchanges and billions of dollars in aid did not change Pyongyang's behavior or improve the lives of North Korean citizens.
Lee Jong-joo, a ministry spokeswoman, says South Korea's goal is to see North Korea prosper, but Seoul must respond appropriately to any provocations from Pyongyang.
Compared with the previous two administrations here, North-South relations have significantly cooled under President Lee Myung-bak.
Mr. Lee, since taking office in 2008, has insisted North Korea give up its pursuit of nuclear weapons if it wants badly needed food and other aid from Seoul.
His conservative government points to North Korea's continued nuclear programs and this year's sinking of a South Korean warship as examples of deception by Pyongyang.
The white paper's publication was delayed six months to include information on the sinking of the Cheonan navy ship in March.
(Excerpt) Read more at voanews.com ...
P!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.