Keeping an Open Mind in Dealing with North Korea

Workers inspect apple trees sent by Mercy Corps to North Korea's Kum Jongni Farm . Mercy Corps has delivered 46,000 apple seedlings to help rebuild the farm's orchards. Photo: Ellsworth Culver

North Korea has been exporting missiles in return for cash for years, so I was not terribly shocked to hear it had also been secretly developing its nuclear program. But what is really quite surprising, has been the sudden openness to acknowledge to Japan that they had indeed kidnapped young Japanese, that they were implementing major changes within their domestic economic policy, and that they would be establishing a major free trade zone along the China border. In spite of their rhetoric, the North Koreans have been sending signals - albeit in a clumsy fashion according to international diplomatic practice) that they want to talk, to work things out, to avoid becoming the next point of attack against the axis of evil.

North Korea is a desperate country in crisis. There are strong internal struggles but they will never implode as some speculate. Their vulnerability does provide the possibility for tragic consequences if extreme negative decisions are made as a result of feeling that their enemies will seek their destruction. On the other hand, North Korea's vulnerability offers opportunities for positive engagement, particularly by the United States, South Korea and Japan, to sit down and seriously negotiate - without preconditions - the issues that for over 50 years have kept the Korean peninsula on the brink of a war that would endanger millions in East Asia.

Among the issues to be negotiated would be a continuation of international food aid on the condition of open access and monitoring. And from the point of view of this writer, that should include the strong involvement and participation of U.S. nongovernmental organizations.

When North Korea had a trading relationship with the Eastern Bloc their needs had been met. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, destructive flooding in 1995 and the economic downturn, people quickly got into trouble. They could not get food and I agree with the estimate that up to 2 million people died of hunger related causes. Since then, many people have found ways to cope, though some- the elderly and children - are still very much at risk, particularly in the rugged northeastern part of the country which continues to be the most susceptible to the lack of food and resources. There is no industry and no energy. The cities are dark at night and terribly cold during the winters. The situation is very precarious and we must continue to help. Food aid provided in the north and northeast, especially for children, has been lifesaving and needs to continue.

Mercy Corps has remained active in North Korea since arriving seven years ago. One of the ways we have supported the redevelopment of the agricultural system is to help rebuild the country's orchards. Before the Korean War, there were many - the climate is favorable to grow apples, peaches and pears. But after 50 years of no new input the production has dropped. The workers know what to do, but need supplies and new varieties. We saw this as a special niche where we could help, while continuing to provide direct food and medical aid.

A few months ago I visited North Korea - my 17th visit in the last seven years - to follow up on an apple tree-planting project, part of Mercy Corps' sustainable agriculture program in the country.

The apple trees are doing remarkably well. The workers at the farm have taken excellent care of them. Since the project began over two years ago, Mercy Corps has delivered 46,000 apple seedlings, 23,000 pounds of grass and vegetable seed and more to the Kum Jongni Farm where we are working to introduce new varieties and technology to increase food production.

Once involved in North Korea, Mercy Corps began a series of meetings with other U.S.-based NGOs operating there which were further supported by the InterAction North Korea working group. U.S. NGOs developed a good track record of working together to provide aid to North Korea and appealing to the U.S. government to provide support.

We urge U.S. NGOs to continue to provide targeted assistance to the North Korea people - food aid, agricultural assistance and medical support. The U.S. NGOs have been the best advocates for the United States there - without us, they have virtually no contact with Americans.

It is very critical that we help those in North Korea who want to engage with the outside world, that we help them help themselves in that process. Change will occur but not quickly - we need to be patient. There are hopeful signs, good signs. If we increase engagement with North Korea, we all will benefit. We don't need another war.