North Korea and South Korea are reconnecting

Today records a positive change in relations between the two Koreas: in fact, the borders have been opened again, closed for thirteen months with a unilateral decision by North Korea, in retaliation against what had been judged, by Pyongyang, propaganda activities of Seoul anti North Koreans. Diplomatic activities continued thanks to the personal commitment of the two leaders, who have had an epistolary relationship since April, precisely to improve the ties of their respective countries. The first tangible development in the improvement of relations between North and South Korea was identified in the reopening of cross-border communications between the two countries. If we look at the normal attitude of Pyongyang, marked by mistrust and closure, the result appears very significant, even if it could hide difficulties on the part of the North Korean regime, which accuses the negative effects of the pandemic, especially for health and hygiene aspects and for the difficulty in procuring sufficient food needs for their own population. From the official point of view of the North Koreans, particular emphasis has been given to resuming contacts, the North Korean news agency talks about progress made by the two sides for the recovery of mutual trust, providing a clear certificate in Seoul, also certified from the sure positive effects that the resumption of relations will have on the improvement of relations and on the expectations of both populations of the resumption of Korean ties. The diplomatic work concerned, in particular, the search for the progress of reconciliation to be able to foster trust between the two parties and put relations between the two states at the center. Also on the South Korean side it was underlined how the process of detente was followed in person by the two leaders, thanks to a close exchange of letters, which took place on several occasions; this public appreciation by Seoul appears as significant as that of Pyongyang, it should be remembered that North Korea blew up the liaison office in June last year, cutting off border relations and this aroused much outrage in South Korea This interruption of relations blocked a diplomatic activity initiated since 2018 between President Moon and Kim Jong-un, who had three meetings that allowed the achievement, among other things, of the decrease in military tensions. These latest developments are considered favorably by analysts for the creation of a detente, if not permanent, at least lasting between the two countries: the commitment of Seoul should favor collaboration between the two parties and also the attitude of the White House seems oriented towards favor this process as much as possible, with a view to making a decisive contribution to regional stability. Already a summit between Moon and Biden, which was held in Washington in May, confirmed the will of the USA and South Korea to maintain the agreements between the two Koreas and the United States, just as a tangible sign to foster dialogue with North Korea. It should be remembered that Pyongyang had withdrawn from the US after the failure of Trump’s attempt to reach an agreement with Kim Jong-un. Despite the good news that these developments provide, it is useless not to hide at least a small dose of mistrust towards North Korea, which is certainly worthwhile, like South Korea, to find a climate of relaxation with the neighboring country, also from the point of view economic, but the current state of need in Pyongyang should certainly not be underestimated, which at this moment sees its economy prostrate and in great difficulty, so much so that there are considerable suspicions of the presence of famines in the peripheral areas of the country and also the future prospects they leave no room for any improvement. The Chinese role has yet to be fully evaluated: it could be the inspiration for the current North Korean will, a sort of role that the US has played with Seoul; for Beijing, as for Washington, there is no interest that Pyongyang alters the fragile regional equilibrium and could skimp on aid precisely to favor an almost obligatory pacification for North Korea with South Korea. Limiting personalistic, individual and outside the box it is a common interest of the two opposing powers, who prefer a reciprocal confrontation, without external influences, often not controllable.