[Opinion] North Korea Calls for Impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, Emphasizing 'Two-Korea Policy'
Nam Sung-wook
former President of the Institute for National Security Strategy
1. Removal of the Monument to the Three-Point Charter for National Reunification
In early January 2024, Kim Jong-un, during the 10th Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly, ordered the removal of the 'Monument to the Three-Point Charter for National Reunification' at Pyongyang's southern gateway, labeling it a 'disgrace.' He also directed practical measures for handling 'remnants of the past' symbolizing 'peaceful reunification' or 'unity.'
Kim Jong-un emphasized the need to remove the concepts of '"unification," "reconciliation," and "same ethnicity" entirely, stating that even the expression "Independence, peaceful reunification, and great national unity" in the constitution should be deleted. Satellite images analyzed by NK News on January 19th showed the monument intact, yet by the 23rd, it had vanished, apparently demolished in line with Kim's orders, with North Korea discreetly concealing this information from its citizens.
The monument was erected by Kim Jong-il, the father of Kim Jong-un, in August 2001 on Unification Street in the Rangrang District of Pyongyang. It featured a 30-meter tall, 61.5-meter wide stone structure depicting two women holding a map of the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has historically promoted the Three-Point Charteras a cornerstone of its national propaganda.
The charter originated from the July 4 South–North Joint Statement made in 1972 by Kim Il-sung, emphasizing "Independence, peaceful reunification, and great national unity." It also encompasses proposals from the 6th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea in 1980, advocating for the establishment of the "Korea Confederation," and the "Ten Point Programme for Reunification of the Country," presented during the 5th Session of the 9th Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK in April 1993. The monument symbolized the joint legacy of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il concerning unification policy.
2. Analyzing the Intentions Behind the Two-Korea Policy
With the start of the new year, Kim Jong-un has reignited his pursuit of the two-Korea policy, evident in military provocations like launching solid-fueled IRBMs and discussions on declarations of hostility, territorial disputes, pacification, and constitutional amendments.
Kim Jong-un's recent directive in Pyongyang aims to remove sentimental expressions like "unification," "reconciliation," and "same ethnicity," along with phrases such as "the beautiful Korean Peninsula" and ideals like "independence, peaceful reunification, and great national unity."
Changes to North Korea's national anthem, notably substituting "beautiful mountains and rivers of Korean peninsula" with "beautiful mountains and rivers of our nation" on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, eliminate the symbolic unity of the two Koreas. North Korean media's avoidance of the removed lyrics during the national anthem rendition at the Hwasong Area 3 construction site is noteworthy.
North Korea historically advocates unification based on 'One People, One State, Two Systems,' along with the spirit of 'Uriminzokkiri.' However, when South Korean President Park Chung-hee proposed simultaneous UN membership for both Koreas in 1973, North Korea vehemently opposed, denouncing it as a ploy to divide the two Koreas.
In 1991, when both North and South Korea joined the UN simultaneously, North Korea vehemently rejected the two-Korea policy during the December negotiations for the Inter-Korean Basic Agreement. Their persistence led to a compromise, framing the relationship as a "special bond striving for unification" rather than a nation-to-nation relationship. This sudden shift aimed to safeguard regime stability and preemptively prevent unification by absorption.
Leveraging its nuclear capabilities, North Korea is pressing the 'two-Korea policy,' masking intentions for armed unification. While promoting war, it emphasizes defensive measures to stabilize its regime and secure succession. This assertive stance suggests potential future border violations, such as those at the Northern Limit Line (NLL). Kim Jong-un intends to enhance military readiness by adjusting border lines north of Yeonpyeongdo and Baengnyeongdo, critiquing South Korea's adherence to the NLL for its lack of international legal backing.
North Korea's shift towards a militaristic approach for unification with South Korea is driven by several factors. These include the desire to reshape relations with the conservative government, sow discord within South Korea, quell internal dissent amid economic struggles, and capitalize on global security uncertainties fueled by conflicts in regions like Russia, Israel, and Ukraine.
The 'two-Korea policy' functions as an internal governance tool for Kim Jong-un, intended to suppress internal discontent stemming from ongoing economic difficulties. Kim's strong opposition to the influence of Hallyu culture is evident in legislation like the Reactionary Ideology and Culture Rejection Law (2020), Youth Education Guarantee Law (2021), and Pyongyang Cultural Language Protection Law (2023).
Amid internal strife in South Korea, the Pan-Korean Alliance for Reunification was dissolved, reflecting North Korea's strategic move to centralize control over unification efforts. Following Kim Jong-un's directives, various unification-related organizations underwent restructuring, including the Pan-Korean Alliance for Reunification Northern Branch, the June 15th North–South Joint Declaration Implementation Committee, the Korea Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation (KCRC), and the Dangun National Unification Council.
At a meeting on February 17th, the headquarters decided to dissolve, announcing the formation of the Korean Independent Movement Union (tentative name) to continue its work. This marks the end of its 35-year history since establishment in November 1990. While previously rooted in nationalism, the new organization's name reflects Kim Jong-un's guidance by omitting the term ‘same ethnicity’. The newly established Union aims for independence through the repeal of the National Security Act and the withdrawal of US forces from South Korea, in line with Pyongyang's directives, prompting swift mobilization among leftist groups in South Korea.
3. North Korea's Intent Behind Anti-Government Campaigns in South Korea
North Korea initially maintained silence during the election period, possibly anticipating that pre-election provocations would favor conservative parties.
However, on April 16, the Rodong Sinmun characterized the South Korean election outcome as a "stern judgment of the people against Yoon Suk-yeol's party." Subsequently, North Korea intensified its anti-government propaganda in the South, exemplified by an article reporting calls for President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment within South Korean universities. This tactic seeks to tarnish the president's image and meddle in South Korea's politics and public opinion, constituting a dubious form of manipulation.
North
Korea's Rodong Sinmun shakes up South Korea's internal affairs. (April 16,
2024)
Within the framework of the two-Korea policy, North Korea considers South Korea a foreign entity. Consequently, actions such as presidential impeachment are deemed direct interference in internal affairs. North Korea's aggressive propaganda campaign against the South appears designed to stoke inter-Korean conflicts and nuclear threats, employing a militaristic approach to its reunification propaganda strategy.
Particularly, with recent diplomatic strategies involving leftist Russia and right-leaning China, while Japan's Kishida Fumio, facing declining approval ratings, is contemplating a DPRK–USA Summit after the U.S. presidential election, North Korea will likely use the two-Korea policy to pressure and manipulate South Korea.
North Korea will persist in undermining the Yoon administration by partnering with pro-North Korean factions in South Korea, exploiting tense inter-Korean relations to exert political pressure. Expect escalating overt and covert pressure from Pyongyang under the guise of the two-Korea policy. Accurate interpretation and customized responses are crucial.
Nam Sung-wook presently serves as the Director of the Convergence Institute for National Unification at Korea University. Prior to this, he held positions as President of the Institute for National Security Strategy and head of the Department of North Korea Studies. He previously served as President of the Institute for National Security Strategy under the National Intelligence Service in 2008 and as Secretary-General (Vice Minister) of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC) in 2013. Since then, he has dedicated himself to mentoring successors and researching North Korean issues.
He has authored several books, including "Kim Jong Un's Nuclear Weapons and Economy" (2022, ParkYoungSa), "North Korean Women and Cosmetics" (2017, Hanul Academy), and "Cooperative Project on the Korean Peninsula" (2009, NaNam).