Topic: Korean Peninsula
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Delegate Name: Zachary Holden
School: Royal Oak High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Democratic Republic of the Congo position papers GLIMUN 2007 committees
The Democratic Republic of the Congo sees peace on the Korean peninsula as a long process not dissimilar to the process we undertook prior to our first elections. A peace cannot just be declared, it has to be built. Peace building is a long and grueling process, which entails building trust on both sides and the creation of an atmosphere that allows reconciliation. With this in mind, the DRC feels that while the Six Party talks continue, the goal of this committee should be to supplement the talks where possible and to encourage greater cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Of course, any attempt at building peace in the region cannot ignore the DPRK nuclear program. The program has long been a major roadblock to a lasting peace in the region, and has sidetracked many promising peace initiatives. Thankfully the latest results of the Six Party talks have produced a framework for a peaceful conclusion to the long diplomatic conflict. However, this committee can expand on the work of the talks, and tie up some loose ends from the negotiations. Most important is the issue of disablement of the facilities, an issue not yet addressed in the negotiations. This committee should support a comprehensive disablement as soon as possible, with a few guidelines. First, the disablement should not interfere with the verification promised by the 6 Party agreements. Second, the disablement steps taken should be those with the least chance of environmental or health impact but with the greatest impact on the ability of the facilities to be restarted.
Aside from the nuclear issue, peace can be built through economic measures. A perfect example of this is the Gaseong Industrial Complex, where North Koreans work alongside South Koreans for South Korean companies in a jointly administered area. This complex is a perfect role model for other cooperation projects between the two nations, helping familiarize Koreans with their similarities as opposed to their differences and showing the North Koreans how different political and economic systems operate. This committee should look for ways to encourage similar projects, across economic, social and political lines.
When formulating solutions to these problems, this committee must be mindful that our purpose is to supplement existing frameworks, not blaze new trails. The Six Party talks have made great progress, we should help them were we can and hinder them at no point. The best progress towards peace building on the peninsula will come from bilateral talks between the North and South. This committee should try and find ways that the international community can help with the process of peace building. Care must also be taken to respect the regional nature of this issue- any meaningful solution should be a regional solution. If our efforts our successful, than the groundwork will be laid for a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula, to the great benefit of international peace and security. Once a permanent peace is built, perhaps the Korean nations can look farther into the future, and begin determining the future relationship of the two Koreas.
