A Chance to End the Isolation

The historic decision by the Soviet Union and South Korea to open full diplomatic ties should send a clear signal to North Korea that it’s time to seriously contemplate a new role in a world where the old rules no longer apply. If not, Pyongyang risks further isolation as it remains--like its heavily fortified border with South Korea--one of the few remaining symbols of the Cold War.

The agreement between Moscow and Seoul to exchange ambassadors next year evolved out of a June meeting in San Francisco where Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and South Korean President Roh Tae Woo agreed in principle to establish full diplomatic relations. “The two sides are convinced that this step will contribute to enhancing stability and to a peaceful settlement on the Korean peninsula,” according to a communique issued by Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze and South Korean Foreign Minister Choi Ho Joong.

Moscow’s warming to Seoul is bad news for Pyongyang. Kim Il Sung’s Stalinist, confrontational regime has until now been the only Korean government recognized by Moscow since the peninsula was split in 1945. The border between the north and south remains one of the most tense in the world, and the United States maintains more than 43,000 troops in South Korea.

Pyongyang was not happy with the Gorbachev and Roh meeting in June, but it was an important factor in getting North Korea finally to commit to a historic round of talks with Seoul, which took place last month. A follow-up meeting is scheduled later this month. Reunification is the ultimate goal of what promises to be a long series of talks.

Yet Pyongyang is sending mixed signals. It is insisting, on the one hand, on some major military and political changes, including sharing a United Nations seat with Seoul. At the same time, it is reluctant to open travel, mail and transportation links between the two countries. That is no way to build confidence, let alone reduce tensions as Moscow and Seoul are working to do. Pyongyang has the opportunity to use the upcoming talks with Seoul as a major turning point and a graceful exit from its long isolation. It, too, could make history.