OPINION: Unified Korea faces Pence at Olympics
As millions of people from across the world tuned into the Winter Olympic Opening Ceremonies Feb. 9, many saw a flag they had never seen before – a blue peninsula centered on a white background, the flag of Korea. Neither North Korea nor South Korea, but a joint flag for a joint Olympic team.
This unity could prove to have global implications for years to come. The possibility of peace in such a hostile region would benefit not only North and South Korea, but also the United States’ relationship with these two nations.
During his televised New Year’s address, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, proposed that the two nations should, “melt the frozen North-South relations.” After two years of no communication, North and South engaged in high-level negotiations prior to the Olympics.
As reported to BBC News from officials in the South, the negotiation topics included the presence of a large North Korean Olympic delegation, allowing family from across the border to reconnect and even further discussions on the countries’ nuclear capabilities.
America is taking a much more hostile approach. During his address in Japan on Feb. 6, Vice President Mike Pence announced the “toughest and most aggressive” sanctions ever will soon be issued against the northern nation.
CNN reported that when speaking with reporters in Tokyo, Pence made clear that he is attending these Olympic Games to ensure that North Korea doesn’t use their international platform to “paper over the truth about their regime.”
While the vice president is certainly justified in his skepticism, his hard-line stance is both ineffective and counterproductive. North Korea will be able to use this Olympics to push their propaganda, as their athletes praise their political leader and diplomats rub shoulders with the world’s political elite.
However, the lasting impact of these games will not be the events, the athletes or the medals. It will be the political bridges built and the conversations that will take place.
The threat of sanctions has become a commonly used tool by world leaders to halt the North Korean missile program. When put into action, these sanctions have proven to be an ineffective method of deterrence.
Dr. Yong Suk Lee, a fellow at Stanford University’s School of International Affairs, has detailed that because China does not sanction North Korea, they have “offset the trade restrictions imposed by other countries.” The Korean Institute for International Economic Policy confirms that fact, with Dr. Lim Soo Ho reporting that North Korea’s GDP increased by 3.9 percent in 2016, despite an increase of sanctions during that time.
North Korea’s aggressive stance toward the United States certainly cannot be ignored. In January, Kim Jong-un did proclaim that his nuclear weapons could reach every part of American soil. In predictable fashion, President Donald Trump responded with a size comparison, stating that he has “a bigger button”.
But despite these threats, it appears as though the United States may find itself on the wrong side of history. Not since the split of the two nations has a ruling family member of North Korea ventured across the southern boarder – until this Olympics.
The box of dignitaries at the opening ceremony featured a remarkable sight, as Kim Yo-Jong, the sister of North Korea’s leader, twice shook hands with Moon Jae-in, the president of South Korea.
It was in such a transparent environment, with the cameras of the world on scene, that Vice President Pence chose to sit stoically in his chair, refusing to stand or even acknowledge Yo-Jong’s presence.
While America refuses to compromise, North Korea and South Korea have both stepped out in apparent good faith to commence communication, invite interaction and pursue peace. History has yet to say what the results of this Olympics will be, but hope, rather than concern, should be the feeling of the day.
As Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee put it, speaking for the world as a whole, “We are all touched by this wonderful gesture. We all join and support you in your message of peace.”
Wylie is an opinion writer.