From: zing@wilber.rich.nt.com (Leon Z. Lee)
Subject: Re: ROH's visit to CHINA
Organization: Northern Telecom, Inc.
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 22:25:47 GMT

In article <1992Oct1.003659.2303@news.acns.nwu.edu> andrew@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Andrew Sung Hyun Kim) writes:
>In article <1992Sep30.142622.29361@news.cs.indiana.edu> "Suh Jung Yul" <jysuh@moose.cs.indiana.edu> writes:
>
>>It shows how Chinese views Korea.
>>One other barbaric tribe to be appeased, while she is 
>>gobbling up Tibet and Inner Mongolia.

In termns of territorial control....Tibet has been "gobbled".  This
province has been under effective PRC control since 1959.  As for
Inner Mongolia...I presume you are referring to Other Mongolia ?
I have not heard of any disputes within the region of China.  If anything
should concern the Koreans in China's internal affairs...it will probably
be the Korean community enclave located south of Mudken in Manchuria.

It should be noted that the PRC does recognize the territorial integrity
of Mongolia.  Its major strategic position is its proximty to the Trans-SiberianRailway...the only link between Siberia and the rest of Russian Republic.
However, I believe petroleum deposits are also one of Mongolia's abundant
reserves, getting the oil out in that climant is another matter.

Before the dimise of the former USSR....Mongolia was considered to be under
the Soviet sphere of influence.  Then again, the Soviets had 5 divisions
in Mongolia watching the Chinese froniter.

It should also be noted that...technically...the Republic of China does
not recognize the territorial intergrity of Mongolia.  During the emergence of
the Chinese Nationalist Republic....a pack was signed in 1923 between the
ROC and the USSR indicating that the ROC will permit a plebicite to be
held in Mongolia in exchange for a agreement from the Soviets that they
will not interfere in China's internal political development...namely,
assisting the CCP to seize power.  

History has already shown the intentions of the Soviets in China....and
ofcourse, the ROC is now stuck on Taiwan.  Therefore, if the ROC ever
returns to the mainland in any shape or form....then reclaiming Mongolia
could be within their prerogatives since the Soviets violated the
treaty...and subsequently control Mongolia's plebicite....its unilateral
declaration of independence could be null and void if the Chinese decided
to pursue this matter.

>He has no reason to go to Beijing, he could only complicate the
>future negotiation.  Why, not let the next president take care of
>the negotiation?  I think, similar thinking has postponed Taiwanese
>from negotiating with ROK government.  
>

I too am somewhat comfounded by President Roh's decision.  Granted that
Korean Unification is of great significance to the Korean people...but
I was always under the percpeption that Korean unity was solely dictated
by the Koreas.

One does not need to read between the lines that one of the purpose of
President Roh's visit was to gain explicit approval from the Red Chinese
to facilitate their talks with the North Koreans.  I was watching KBC's
report from China....and both sides stated clearly and concisely that
their new-found relation will assist the talks.

This points to a interesting delinma....is Korean Unification predicated
on the approval of a foreign power ?  All Hanguknim will say...NO !
However, the actions taken by South Korea points to a unequivocal..YES.
This may be political posturing by President Roh for his internal
political affairs at home....but one cannot easily dismiss the future
ramifications of the political venture....especially given the political
turmoil demonstrated by the Chinese in the past 100 years.

If Korean Unification is not conditioned to the approval of a 3rd party...
then why go to the PRC at all ?  Does not the ROC on Taiwan provide a
more stable economic and political relation with Korea ?  What about
the 35,000 US troops in South Korea .....we know for a fact that the
US has effective used troops stationed in other nations to acts as
a defacto occupation force.

If you had 35,000 visitors in your backyard...can you definitely state
that they will not interfer into your domestic and foreign policies.
In other words...with your policies reflect the aspirations of your
people...or the political servitude to your military ally.  These
words may be harsh....but nevertheless these are valid reservations.
Will the US actively support Korean Unification ?  They have stated
that they will in public...but I am more concern with why they might
enact in private.  One need not look far to see the US intentions in
other nations....the suppression of the Philippine military revolt
in 1989, Panama 1989, etc.

>>Jung Suh  
>>P.S. : Imperialsts are not necessarily American nor Europian nor
>>       Japanese.

Well....imperialism could be view as a relative phrase.  I distinctly
remember in months not too long ago that certain subscribers to this
newsgroup was vehemently denouncing how the Chinese drove nomadic
tribes from the northern Manchurian plains about 2000 years.  That these
nomadic tribes were the descendents of the Koreans today....therefore,
the Koreans possess the right to retake Manchuria and Siberia back into
their fold.  

Not to mention that Turkic tribes in Soviet Central Asia are also descendents
of the Siberian nomadic tribes...therefore, they are distant relatives of
Koreans, which means that the they may wish to join Hanguk.  Given these
positions....a Chinese could easily accuse the Koreans of harboring
imperialistic intentions.

>establishment of relationship will be very critical.  In coming
>century something more critical to worry about may be 'economic wars'
>and 'economic imperialism'.  If EOC and such alliances ever come
>to fruition, Korea will need all the allies it can get.

However...this is predicated on the assumption that China will
evolve from her present stagnate socialist position to a vibrant
economic power.  This also means that a stable political platform
must exist before the advent of a strong economic relation with
Korea.

Given China's track record in the past 70 years....I can state
quite confidently that Chinese Unification will not come about
without shedding blood. Korea should maintain her distance and
secure her own economic security 1st before venturing out on
political intrigues.  Placing all the eggs on the PRC instead
of trying to balance between the PRC and the ROC will present
problems for Korea on the internation front with her mainland
neighbor.  We shall see what fruit this venture shall bring.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Leon Z. Lee                          Internet: zing@nt.rich.com
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