Link: http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/2139857/kim-jong-un-red-velvet-superfan-praising-k-pop-girl-band-who
Summary: Kim Jong-un attended a concert by a hosted by South Korean stars in Pyongyang as part of a diplomatic thaw between the north and south. Kim shook hands and took photos with the stars backstage, saying inter-Korean cultural events should be held more often and suggesting another event in the South Korean capital this autumn. Kim told the visitors, Please tell (South Korean) President Moon Jae-in how great an event like this is…I am grateful for a gift like this (concert) to the people of Pyongyang."
Analysis: I think events like this could lead to the two Koreas warming up to each other over time. If Kim appreciates the culture of K-pop, it might lead to them having peace. With more cultural events, it is likely tensions will decrease between the two countries.
Questions:
Do you think this will be an effective method to "open" North Korea up?
Do you think the South will/should push for more events given the success of this one?
8 comments:
It's actually kind of nice to see the two disputing countries being courteous to one another. I think it's kind of smart to try and please Kim Jong-un with things that he likes instead of having a sort of sit-down. I hope this triggers a huge thaw towards one another, tensions between them have been dangerously high for a long time. I don't know what this could mean in an economic sense, since its way to early to tell, but it's good that things are winding down.
Music may not be the means to solve the policy issues between S. Korea and N. Korea, but all problems are first solved by finding common interests and goals. Music may be a start to both countries finding similarities amongst themselves, which may lead to much-needed conflict-resolution. In an economic sense: cd/song-sales increase (one more country listening to the songs). But more seriously, the appreciation over these small things may actually be an icebreaker between the countries, prompting further trade of amenities and more discourse over budget and policy issues.
I agree that small events and appeasements like these are a good way to break the ice between North and South Korea. South Korea should continue with events like these to help the two countries be on more diplomatic terms. Politically, there will still be many issues and disputes, but this may be what it takes to get North Korea and Kim Jong-Un to come to the table.
I believe that this is an effective means to thaw icy relations between the two Koreas. Though it’s not going to immediately propel a peaceful resolution between the two nations, it definitely gives them some common ground minus the stuffy formalities that are usually associated with diplomatic issues. When I read this, I immediately thought of ping-pong diplomacy (where American ping pong players went to China for a 10 day tour in 1971 after over 20 years of a lack of contact, eventually allowing for diplomatic relations between the two nations). Though I sound extremely optimistic, given that it worked in an instance as rigid as that, I think that a seemingly small event like this K-pop showcase can catalyze into further action being taken together between the two countries.
I think this is definitely an interesting, yet effective way to potentially diminish the tensions between North Korea and South Korea. Although this may not cause an immediate or desired outcome, I believe that it will gradually promote a good relationship between the two through common interests and events like this one. Even if these events are not "serious" ones, having something relatable to discuss such as K-pop is a step in the right direction to improve relations.
This situation reminds me of an older sibling trying to coax a younger sibling out of a mood with a piece of candy. It's honestly pretty childish and completely informal, but because Kim Jong-un seems utterly incapable of engaging in serious diplomatic talk, we should probably take what we can get as a starting point. However, it does kind of seem like the rest of the world is trying to cater to North Korea's demands and desires in order to get the country to engage in international affairs which is dangerous. I think it's a little different than the ping-pong diplomacy circumstance because with China, we were sending ping-pong players as a sign of appreciation and respect for their culture. With Kim Jong-un it seems like South Korea is giving him whatever he wants in order to appease a child throwing a tantrum, and appeasement never works. I think these informal meetings can be a good starting point for diplomacy, but do need to be closely regulated and limited in the future.
I think that this is a pretty effective way to open up relations between North and South Korea. If it was anyone else, I doubt that this would be a good idea but since Kim Jong-un seems unable to open up any other way, I think that this is a good starting point. Music in general is a good way to bond with anyone and i think that inevitably Kim Jong-un will want to hear more Kpop now that he's a fan of it. In the future, I think South Korea will hold more events like this, at least once a year, and hopefully this will be a set event held where the two Koreas share their cultures with each other and open the door to political relations between the two.
I think this is a good symbol as it could mean that tensions within the region may be going down. Anything that could make that happen is a good thing. I think the South should push for more events such as this if it could mean peace.
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