A title for Kim Jong-un, economic zones and a threat of force: a political solution for Korea that China should accept
- If China, the US and North Korea’s other neighbours would agree, they could force a political solution on Kim Jong-un that would defuse the conflict and lead to peaceful unification
Attempts to jump-start negotiations after the failed Donald Trump-Kim Jong-un summit in Hanoi, while North Korea reactivates its rocket and satellite launch facilities, have generated a lot of positive and negative commentaries. None have had a constructive political solution.
Denuclearisation and sanctions issues aside, what is that political solution?
To begin with, China needs to reverse its current strategy of retaining the status quo on the Korean peninsula. In doing so, Beijing can gain a lot – enjoying greater influence with both Koreas, eliminating the threat of nuclear fallout in China, having its troops stationed at the demilitarised zone (DMZ), becoming a decisive regional power for long-term stability, and starting a long-overdue partnership with America in leading the world.
How do China and America unite a divided country with two extreme opposite political systems – one ruthlessly totalitarian communism (and now dynastic), supported by China and Russia, the other democratic and supported by America – as one nation? There is a way, and China must take the lead.
There are only two examples of a divided country reuniting: Germany and Vietnam. Germany united peacefully, with the democratic West Germany taking the lead to run the political system and the economy. Vietnam united after South Vietnam, supported by America, lost an ugly protracted war it fought against the communist North that had the backing of China and the now-defunct Soviet Union. United Vietnam today is run by a communist political system, a modified China model that is a lot more transparent, and unlike China allows its citizens access to foreign social media platforms.
Neither the German nor the Vietnamese model of reunification will work for Korea. Kim Jong-un surely will not accept the German model, that would imply South Korea absorbing the costs of reunification and taking command of a united Korea. The Vietnam model would only work if the two Koreas go to war again, on a “winner takes all” basis – not a desirable option.
