Paradigm shift in South Korea's DPRK policy(2)

The trust-building process aimed to gradually build trust between Seoul and Pyongyang, like "stacking bricks" via verifiable conducts based on firm security. Neither would it allow for unilateral and unconditional concessions nor compensate for the DPRK's provocations.

"I will take a firm grip on security issues first. A step forward, I will pursue a sustainable peace based on trust and cooperation," President Park said at the speech for policy direction for diplomacy, security and unification on Nov. 5, 2012 during her presidential campaign.

President Park put firm security at the basis of its DPRK policy, aiming to strengthen deterrence against nuclear and missile threats from Pyongyang. But, the top priority was placed at the normalization of inter-Koran relations by building trust through verifiable actions.

The verifiable actions meant keeping promises made by the DPRK in the past. Park said in the Nov. 5 speech that various communication channels should be open to build trust, but she stressed that the DPRK should keep its promise first.

Following the cancellation of the high-level inter-Korean talks, Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae said that Seoul was open to the dialogue with Pyongyang, but the minister urged the DPRK to show sincere attitude first.

The trust-building process called for Pyongyang's positive response. If the DPRK does not positively respond to South Korea's efforts to build trust, international support would be necessary.

"In the past, the Sunshine Policy failed to win support from the U.S., whereas the Lee Myung-bak government had difficulties in gaining support for its North Korea policy from China," said Choi at the KINU.

"The most important factor in enforcing a North Korea policy is gaining cooperation from the U.S. and China."

Based on trust verified by actions and international support, Park aimed to build an economic community with political union as its ultimate goal.

"Trust is necessary at the starting point for building a new Korean Peninsula. National trust, inter-Korean trust and international trust should be built," said President Park.