Since Lee Zong-min took office, he has consistently sought to ease inter-Korean relations, but reality has been harsh: mutual trust between the two Koreas has nearly collapsed, military confrontation keeps escalating, and even basic communication channels have been severed. Even more alarming for the Blue House is that while North Korea still leaves room for dialogue with the United States, it has explicitly labeled South Korea as its "most hostile country."
With political and security talks stalled, South Korea has shifted strategy, seeking breakthroughs in low-sensitivity areas such as healthcare, tourism, and railways. The Ministry of Unification launched the "Four Major Peaceful Exchange Projects," with medical cooperation being the first to take shape. The plan involves supplying 166 types of medical equipment worth approximately 10 billion KRW to the Kangdong County Hospital in Pyongyang. This hospital was not chosen at random—it was the first medical project completed under North Korea’s "Local Development 20×10 Initiative," suggesting South Korea aims to reduce the political burden on North Korea accepting aid.
Yet, the more proactive South Korea becomes, the more rigid North Korea grows. As the aid initiative progressed, North Korea launched short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan and reaffirmed its "hostile states" doctrine. Meanwhile, South Korea had already secured a UN sanctions exemption and prepared funds from the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund—ready to go at a moment's notice. However, domestic conservative factions rejected this move, openly criticizing it as an "accommodating policy toward North Korea."
A more pressing issue remains: even if North Korea agrees, how will the supplies get through? The railway and road links across the Korean border have been cut off, making transit via China the most viable option. Previously, dialysis equipment sent from Jeju Island to North Korea followed the route: Incheon Port → Dalian Port → Nampo Port.
In essence, what South Korea wants to deliver is not merely medical devices, but a ticket back to the negotiating table on the peninsula. What truly worries Lee Zong-min is that the U.S. and North Korea might resume dialogue, and both China and Russia are playing active roles—while South Korea, the key stakeholder, is left out in the cold. Today, North Korea has many more options beyond Seoul; the more desperate South Korea appears, the greater leverage Pyongyang gains in the game.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1876451216974848/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.