Seoul: North Korean Military Display Driven by ‘Fear’

South Korea believes that the communist North’s recent military displays are likely to be driven by “fear”. The democratic country’s Unification Minister points to growing social instability, succession issues and Kim Jong-il’s weaker health.

It is uncertain as to whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is in good or poor health, but his recent displays of military might are probably driven by fears of growing social instability – that’s coming from South Korea’s Unification Minister Hyun In-taek.

North Korea raised tensions in the region in the past months by test-firing missiles, restarting an arms-grade plutonium plant, and holding a nuclear test on May 25.

Analysts say the North’s moves are aimed at building internal support for its leader, who reportedly suffered from a stroke last year and named his youngest son to take over the impoverished Communist country.

[Hyun In-taek, South Korean Unification Minister]:
„Social instability has increased in North Korea. So Kim Jong-il needs to continue to reinforce his domestic power base. At the same time he has to also think about possible power succession, whether it happens right away or some time later. That’s why he has been trying to reinforce his power base.“

Last month, North Korea threatened to attack the South, raising tension to one of its highest levels since the 1950-53 Korean War. The U.N. Security Council has adopted tough sanctions to cut off the North’s arms trade and financing for the test. U.S. president Barack Obama and South Korean president Lee Myung-bak say they will not engage in dialogue with the North and strictly enforce the sanctions.

South Korea is calling on China to rein in the reclusive North.

[Hyun In-taek, South Korean Unification Minister]:
“If the Chinese think about what North Korea’s nuclear capability means to Northeast Asia and to peace and security of the world, they will come up with a way to cooperate with the international community.“

South Korea is trying to salvage a troubled joint industrial project in the North despite the communist state’s „inappropriate“ demands for higher worker wages and land lease rates that made 10 firms consider pulling out.

(NTDTV)