Reuniting the Koreas

DW: When you take a look at this border compound, do you really believe Korea is on the verge of reunification, as your dialogue partners are always eager to convey?

Frank-Walter Steinmeier: We have experienced ourselves how history does not always progress because people believe it will, but rather, it happens on its own. But of course right here, with the blue barracks in the background, directly on the demarcation line between North and South Korea, summons images that ruled our everyday East German-West Germanlife for decades during the Cold War.

The blue barracks here in the background are a bit like our Glienicke Bridge in Berlin. That is to say, this is where prisoners are exchanged, where the remains of dead soldiers and civilians are exchanged, and this is where the highest level military talks take place.

We Germans can of course understand particularly well how our Korean friends feel, having not seen their family members for decades, who have never once received news, because North Korea has cut off contact consistently, brutally, and completely.

We're pleased that Korea has given a signal that they would like to emulate the East German - West German experience. And that is why I gladly agreed to Korea's request to set up a German-Korean advisory group here, one has just met for the first time during my visit. We Germans are not here to behave as instructors; the conditions are far too different for that. But we're happy to report things of interest from our experience during the years of separation and, above all, things pertaining to the steps of reunification.

I think no one here has the illusion that we're standing on the brink of [Korean] reunification. But I notice that, right here in Seoul, there is an honest desire to take the first steps in that direction. I can only say that we have been lucky in our experience - that separation need not be eternal. We hope the Koreas also share this experience.

There are worries that a political implosion is indeed coming to North Korea. You highlighted at one point yesterday how important it would be that this transition be a controlled one. What is needed to ensure that?

I don't think the fear of political implosion is the dominant feeling at the moment. The feeling that we had a few months ago, that the young new leader hadn't stabilized himself or that there was a threat of a new famine - that is not the impression that we or the Koreans have at this point.

Right now, there's a back-and-forth in North Korean politics. On the one hand, there are signals to Seoul which hint that there is interest in reestablishing contact. But on the other hand, there is a simultaneous, public adherence to the course of atomic development.

And that's why it was necessary yesterday to say publicly: You cannot have it both ways - an atomic arsenal, with which you threaten your neighbor to the south and the entire region, and at the same time, economic development with the help of that same neighbor. North Korea has to make a decision. We can only hope and encourage them to decide on the right policy.

You've set up an advisory group that focuses on aspects of foreign policy together with the South Koreans. How will the two protecting powers - China for the North, the US for the South - be included?

They are included. That is why Seoul is working hard with both the Americans and with China. Of course, at this point you can't say anything conclusive. What has changed is that China is at least not excusing itself from talks on the future of Korea, as it has in previous years. This is a cautious, new development whose value should not be overestimated.