'Enemy' North Korea: Do labels help?

• Published date: 01 March 2023
• Publication title: The Korea Times

South Korea in its Defense White Paper released on Feb. 16 again referred to North Korea and its military as an enemy. The label hardly surprised anyone and it was quite expected. Actually, after coming to power, the Yoon Suk Yeol administration adopted a tit-for-tat approach toward North Korea and his policies, statements and behavior clearly indicate that South Korea considers North Korea as an enemy country.

The Defense White Paper just appears to be formal recognition of the fact. Furthermore, it's not the first time that South Korea has labeled North Korea as an enemy or the main enemy. It started in 1995 and South Korea's conservative administrations have used the term in official documents and progressive administrations have generally withdrawn such labels.

There is no proof that putting the label enemy for North Korea has helped South Korea in dealing with it. However, some may say that even if it has not helped, it is a statement of fact and not using it would be appeasement to North Korea. But it must be remembered that formally, the Korean War has not ended yet and both Koreas are technically at war with each other and this fact is more fundamental than the inclusion or exclusion of the word enemy in an official South Korean document. The question remains that by reiterating the fact by using the word enemy, does South Korea acquire any benefits in its dealings with North Korea?

On the contrary, such reiterations create obstacles for South Korea in dealing with North Korea. First, such inclusions are largely populist and largely they are political moves rather than strategic. Moreover, they are meant more for the domestic politics of South Korea. It garners support from a section of South Koreans who feel that North Korea is an 'evil' state and it must be dealt with strictly. It also gives some solace to people who are frustrated with North Korea's dangerous and provocative behavior.

These people feel better that at least their government is bold and doing something to deal with North Korea. However, a more composed reflection would make them realize that such labels do not have any substance and they just deflect people's expectations to have an effective North Korea policy, which could resolve or at least manage the problem.

Second, using such labels by South Korea annoys North Korea and it gives them excuses to overtly and aggressively pursue weapons of mass destruction. Actually, two days after the release of South Korea's Defense White Paper...