Korea - As we commemorate one wall’s fall, what about the other?

This past month has seen the celebration of the fall of the Berlin Wall, which many believe signalled the end of communism in Europe. But as celebrations abound in Germany, are we any closer to seeing the fall of the other foreboding divide in the world?

The tension that still exists in divided Korea comes after reports earlier this month that a small fire fight erupted in the yellow sea, after a North Korean naval vessel crossed the disputed Northern Limit Line, the demarcation boundary (meaning essentially a temporary “geopolitical” border) in the yellow sea.

One of many disputed precincts between the two countries.

The up and down relationship between the nations had appeared to be cooling, after reaching an apex this year after North Korea tested nuclear devices despite United Nations sanctions.

The North Korean vessel had crossed the NLL at 11:27 am local time, had ignored five warnings, and then fired upon the South Korean vessel before they returned fire. This was from a statement from Seoul and the countries Chiefs of Staff.

Naturally the North offered a different story, and has asked for a formal apology for the “grave armed provocation”, stating that they were fired upon while north of the disputed border.

Now, reports have also emerged that South Korea executed at least 4,934 civilians (and some believe the numbers may actually be in the tens of thousands) between June and September 1950, when South Korean and US forces retreated before the onslaught of the invading Northern forces.

It was thought that the civilians were communist sympathisers.

These events bring into focus the single greatest divide between nations that still exists on the planet. One of the demarcation boundaries is mentioned above. The other border line is the Korean Demilitarized Zone, although to call it a wall as such is not technically correct.

But it remains the last “Berlin wall” on the planet.

This strip of land runs across the Korean Peninsula and effectively is the boundary proper between North and South Korea. The DMZ crosses the “38th Parallel” on an angle.

NOTE: The 38th Parallel is the circle of latitude that is 38 degrees north of the planets equatorial plane. It passes through Spain, Portugal, Greece, etc.

The DMZ is over 150 miles long and approximately 2.5 miles wide; this area of width effectively constitutes a killing zone, and the area is the most heavily militarized border on Earth.

It was formally created at the conclusion of the Korean War. This war, largely seen as a clash of greater powers other than the Koreans, was caused due to similar principles that affected Germany. Korea was effectively divided between the Soviets and the Americans.

While both North (USSR) and South (US) Korea were occupied, the Americans withdrew their military forces in 1949, while the Soviet Union reportedly sent large amounts of military resources to equip Kim Il-sung for an invasion of the South – although it is important to note that archival evidence does paint differing pictures, with some believing the North Korean prime minister/party chairman responsible, others saying it was Soviet design.

But most prudent is the fact that The Korean War technically has not ended.

After the invasion on the 25th June 1950, a cease fire armistice was declared on the 27th July 1953. No formal peace treaty has been signed.

Since then there has been an uneasy tension between the countries with no major power, not the United States, Russia or China able to officially end the conflict (or as some conspiracy theorists offer, unwilling to end the standoff).

There has been progress, although there is still much unease, not only between the two countries, but with the larger, silent players, such as the United States, Russia and China.

The Sunshine Policy, implemented in 1998 by then South Korean President Kim Dae Jung, was seen as the first major step towards peace and unification of the two countries. Jung was award the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts for the policy.

However, the process was criticised in some quarters as it ignored many aspects of the “negative and oppressive” nature of the Northern regime.

In August of 2000, the June 15th North South Joint Declaration moved ahead. It declared:

• "The North and the South agreed to solve the question of the country’s reunification independently by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation responsible for it.
• "The North and the South, recognizing that the low-level federation proposed by the North and the commonwealth system proposed by the South for the reunification of the country have similarity, agreed to work together for the reunification in this direction in the future.
• "The North and the South agreed to settle humanitarian issues as early as possible, including the exchange of visiting groups of separated families and relatives and the issue of unconverted long-term prisoners, to mark August 15 this year.
• "The North and the South agreed to promote the balanced development of the national economy through economic cooperation and build mutual confidence by activating cooperation and exchange in all fields, social, cultural, sports, public health, environmental and so on.
• "The North and the South agreed to hold an authority-to-authority negotiation as soon as possible to put the above-mentioned agreed points into speedy operation.

There are many hurdles, not withstanding that the countries have now been separated for 60 years.

South Korea, one of the Four Asian Tigers (or the Miracle on the Han) is a beacon of economic success. Ranked 15th in the GDP classifications of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank (just behind Australia), South Korea is a member of the G 20 and a high income OECD member.

Furthermore, South Korea is the world’s largest builder of ships (in 2008 the country made approximately half of the worlds ship in gross tonnage and ships built) the fourth largest carmaker, and arguably the dominant member of the “next eleven” – one of the countries said to be on the verge of becoming a world leading economic power.

North Korea is a communist country, just ranked in the top 100 in terms of GDP. They are one of only a handful of remaining socialist states in the world, and are one of only two countries to have a completely government planned and state owned economy.

This isolationist policy restricts international and free trade, hence severely handicapping economic growth. Their economy is slowly growing, but lags behind developed countries. Sanctions are often imposed on the country, and the regime often alienates itself with the international community.

The advantage for Korea as a unified country is that North Korea is in many respects an untapped resource, with cheap and young labour.

Still, the culture and sociology of the countries is vastly different, and as it was with Germany, the bridging of what are now two separate cultures will take a huge amount of work. But for the sake of all Koreans, one hopes that the slow progress towards integration can occur in our lifetimes.

2009 Four Nations: Kiwis and Kangaroos not so tough!

After an auspicious start that saw the World Champions and number one ranked team play out a classic match to draw 20 all in the first game, the second round didn’t exactly play to script.

England and France were expected to be poles apart in class after the intensity of the New Zealand and Australia match. Despite the English coming back against the French late in their first match, it was considered a fait accompli that the ANZAC powers would fight it out in the final.

The World Champions travelled to Toulouse in a match where even the flair of the Les Chanticleers was predicted to have little impact against the physicality of the New Zealanders.

As it was against England, the French - the fifth ranked nation in the world – provided ample fight in the first half again showing surprising mettle. They took the game to the Kiwis in the forwards and were only trailing 16-12 early in the second half.

However the World Champions ran riot in the last half hour, scoring a remarkable 46 points in the closing stages of the game (including three tries in the last seven minutes) to give them eleven tries for the match.

The World Champions would win 62-12.

Despite the 50 point winning margin, by and large New Zealand was unhappy with their performance. Stephen Kearney, their coach and assistant of current NRL premiers the Melbourne Storm, stated that maybe the Kiwis poor first half was his fault.

The players leapt to the defence of their boss, saying that their performance let both Kearney and their teammates down. This solidarity between the team, and the support for their brothers, is the main reason the World Champions are making their mark on this tournament.

Iosia Soliola, the Kiwi back row forward en-route to St Helens after this tournament, praised the squad’s team spirit and the concept of doing it for each other.

They will play England this weekend in a game that will decide who moves through to the final.

While Papua New Guinea will play in the 2010 Four Nations due to their Pacific Nations tournament win – replacing the French - key moving forward will be ensuring that France is not forgotten.

The French have shown, despite falling off in the second halves against England and New Zealand; that they have the ability to compete at the highest level. For the sake of international rugby league legitimacy, the Tri Colours need to keep receiving meaningful competition.

In the first half against England, the Kangaroos executed a half of rugby league that any coach would do well to record and show to his charges repeatedly.

It was as good a spell of attacking league that anyone could hope to watch.

On paper, the Australian test side is far beyond any team on the planet. As bold as it might sound, a collective world XV combining all the talents in the world against Australia would in theory struggle.

Surely if a team, or more to the point, backline was to be chosen by the almighty, it would feature most of the Kangaroo’s backs. Surely He would put Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Darren Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston, Justin Hodges and Jarred Hayne in his XIII.

A five tries to nil opening half would see the Australians run riot, and many believed the score would surpass the 52-4 drubbing England suffered against the Kangaroos in the 2008 World Cup.

But the second half would see an improved England come out and score three tries, revitalising the Wigan crowd. They would also hold Australia scoreless, further enhancing their credibility, and promoting the Kangaroo’s.....shall we say vulnerability.

Since the World Cup final, Australia has now played three games. It is quite possibly that in eight halves of rugby league, the mighty Kangaroos have put together only one exceptional one.

New Zealand will play a strong team against England, although Steve Matai has been ruled out. Kieran Foran will be his replacement, the sixth debutant since the World Champions began their campaign with their Tonga warm up last month.

While the Kiwis have suffered a big injury toll, it has been the hunger and ferocity of their youth that has allowed them to make their impact in this tournament.

England has made three changes, bringing in Chris Bridge, Peter Fox and Kyle Eastmond.

If they pull off the upset, they will eliminate the World Champions from the competition.

In the other match, Australia has made a host of changes, but with their embarrassment of riches, they do not look any weaker.

A case in point is Cooper Cronk, who has been recalled after a two year test absence, despite being one of the linchpins of the all conquering Melbourne Storm.

The Kangaroos should account for France, despite the fact that they have beaten Australia before. While the result may be all but guaranteed, it will be interesting to see whether the French can stay competitive at least for periods, as they did against New Zealand and England.

Round Three matches

7th November 2009, France V Australia @ Stade Charlety, Paris France

7th November 2009, England V New Zealand @ Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield England