The war against Iraq became a reality. News about combat and calamities in the war occupied all the media.
What effect is this war likely to have on the Korean Peninsula, where tension has been intensifying due to North Korea's nuclear development? One cannot deny that there is a possibility that the war will severely undermine stability and peace in this region.
South Korea determined to support the United States on the grounds that Washington is its ally. Amid increased antiwar calls, the Diet approved the dispatch of its troops to the battleground. On the other hand, Seoul is doing its best to find ways to peacefully solve problems with Pyongyang.
President Roh Moo Hyun assumed the presidency in February and brought forward the vision that South Korea be the hub country in Northeast Asia. This concept embraces possible ways toward peaceful solutions of problems with Pyongyang.
The Korean Peninsula is located at the center of Northeast Asia where continental powers such as China and Russia and sea powers such as the United States and Japan contested for political clout. President Roh created his vision in the light of the history of hardship carved in the peninsula.
President Roh looked backed on the past in his recent book, titled "South Korea's hope and the dreams of Roh Moo Hyun." It stated that the confrontation between continental and sea powers started at the end of the 16th century and his country had been unable to escape conflict ever since. He says in the book that, "we are like a small shrimp which cracked its back as it was entangled in fights among big whales."
The book continues to state that "we cannot hang the responsibility of our circumstances like the injured shrimp only on powers outside South Korea" and that "we are basically responsible for the result." He pointed out in the book that South Korea is "a big fish in a small barrel."
''Seoul is going to be a wise dolphin which can act as an arbitrator in fights between whales, thereby being able to escape the dominance of outside powers," he said.
Taking advantage of Seoul's geographical location at the center of Northeast Asia, the country should be the hub of the networks of traffic and of the distribution of goods in the region. It should also be the center of communications and finance in the area.
South Korea has been blueprinting a framework under which Seoul expects Beijing and Tokyo to join in building an apparatus for peace and cooperation. The plan also intends that an international bank, the North East Asia Development Bank (NEADB) be established. In an attempt to implement the plan, Seoul is hoping to form an international consortium for the development of the "Silk Road" railway system.
The Tokyo Foundation recently heldａsymposium in Tokyo where participants exchanged opinions on the Northeastern version of the Marshal Plan that includes the idea of the establishment of the NEADB.
The idea is intended to prevent the isolation of North Korea and to achieve stability and prosperity by bringing Pyongyang into an international economic system. The attempt to create a cooperative framework is fairly well advanced. Participants from South Korea were filled with enthusiasm.
On the other hand, when it comes to Japan, its relationship with Pyongyang has plunged into the political doldrums and it is not able to take the initiative commensurate with its major economic status.
Moreover, followed by the liftoff of a spy satellite, there have increased Japanese calls for the development of a defense system against Pyongyang's missile attacks. Such moves disquiet people.
How will Japan respond to the political winds from Seoul? Japan is now being put to the test for its ability to build a strategic framework that enables Tokyo to escape its current policy of just following circumstances.
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Seoul aims to be the hub of regional cooperation in East Asia