Sowing Seeds in the Spring

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Sowing Seeds in the Spring Cho Sun~-nak port, the electricity went off all of a sud- where we were to stay. When I entered Seoul, Korea den. I’ve never experienced something the hotel lobby, my mouth dropped like that, and I didn’t know the actual open. Since our foundation took over For many years Cho Sung-nak worked very cause, but I don’t believe that it was the the hotel ten years ago, I know very closely with Dr. Pak Bo-hi. He was instru- result of a general lack of electrical well the complicated procedures mem- mental in helping establish Pyonghwa power in North Korea. As an old Kore- bers have had to go through to get Motors in the early stages, and has visited an saying goes, “A girl gets an abscess repair and maintenance work done for North Korea more than almost any other on her back on her wedding day.” I just the building, the work to improve the South Korean. He is presently involved in felt sorry that something like that had lighting in the lobby and the work to coordinating conferences and education for to happen on this special day for North modernize the coffee shop. Looking at Ambassadors for Peace in Korea. Korea. the place, I was totally speechless. On the way to Pyongyang from the Inside the brilliant show window-the

M y first visit to North Korea was airport, I looked carefully at the propa- like of which you never see in North in January 1994. At the time I ganda billboards. They have changed Korea-gorgeous looking imported was working as the private quite a bit. They used to have horrible clothes were displayed. At a glance, I secretary of Pak Bo-hi, then president of slogans such as “Peel the skin off of the could tell they were very expensive. The Segye Times.In July of the same year Americans.” This time, though, I The gift shop next to it looked very neat I returned to North Korea with Dr. Pak: couldn’t see that kind of thing any- and clean. What was more surprising He had been invited as a messenger of where. During the more recent process was that the convenience store, full of condolences on behalf of True Parents of negotiations with America and expensive imported goods, was lit like at the time of Kim II-sung’s death. I Japan, they seemed to have quietly dis- daylight with many fluorescent lights. have been to North Korea on various appeared. Instead, I could see far more Thanks to such repair work, when I occasions since the establishment of slogans supporting the status quo such entered my room the bathroom looked Pyonghwa Motors, working for eco- as “The Great Leader, Comrade Kim 11- a lot cleaner than on previous occa- nomic cooperation between North and sung is with us forever,” or “Mansei for sions. The soap, shampoo and towels South Korea. The last time I traveled to the Great Leader, Comrade Kim II-sung, looked much nicer, too. When I used North Korea before this was for the the sun of the 21st century,” and so on. the elevator, I didn’t have to worry assembly plant groundbreaking cere- For the first time in the North, I saw about whether or not I’d get stuck mony. the slogan “Let’s love trees.” When I between floors because of the power sit- Walking on the North Korean soil was young, in the 1960s, I used to plant uation. Although the changes may not after two long years, I felt anything but acacia trees or alders on the bare hills of have been very noticeable at a glance, indifferent. My first impression of South Korea during the campaign to however, there were obvious changes if Pyongyang this time was that the “make the mountains green.” I one looked at things closely. The atmosphere was a whole lot brighter assumed that North Korea has entered expressions on the faces of people walk- than before. While I was going through that kind of social phase nowadays. ing on the street looked so much . the entry formalities at Soon An Air- We arrived at the Po tong River Hotel brighter and more relaxed. I believe

April 2002 29

Pyonghwa Motors President Park Sang-kwon speaks to the guests and workers much money to work in the tourism sector in North Korea. They were too eager to monopolize the North Korean tourist industry. Hyundai thought it was a business investment upon which they would later collect, so did not worry about pouring in money. North Korea, on the other hand, had a different view. They saw Hyundai’s investment as proper compensation for the company coming in and utilizing the North’s land and property. Hyundai believed that through this investment they would come to monopolize the whole North Korean tourist industry, thinking they would build up trust with the North that they must have done maintenance unification can be actualized politically, Koreans. work on a grand scale in Pyongyang in through a unified election between There is such a management struc- time for the April spring festival and South and North. This would lead to ture in the North-everything begins at Sun Day celebration (April 15, Kim 11- complete reunification. I cannot stress the top. Money doesn’t speak for you in sung’s birthday). It was obvious to me enough the importance of programs the same way it can in other countries. that North Korea is changing gradually. promoting economic cooperation Although Hyundai might have thought There is the genuine possibility of between the Koreas. In the beginning, that through its financial power it is the reunification of North and South unilateral investment by South Korea is one in control, North Korea thinks of through economic cooperation. necessary, but I am sure it will develop Hyundai as being another organization North Korean leaders think that they into something beneficial for both South that will come under its control in time. can establish a strong and prosperous and North in the end. What is impor- Pyonghwa Motors is not on as large nation and that they can unify Korea if tant is that the Koreas must build mutu- a scale as Hyundai’s Mt. Kumgang North Korea maintains its status quo. al trust through these kinds of program. tourism business, and there weren’t any They may not notice that they them- Without trust, development as I have loud advertisements for Pyonghwa selves are changing gradually. I believe described will not be possible. through the media, either. The business that here lies a very good window of In many respects, the opening of the has been developed through open com- opportunity for us. I believe that True Pyonghwa Motors assembly plant was munication based on the trust we have Parents see that, and that is why they a successful event. More importantly, it built up with the North. That is how we are investing, slowly but steadily, in will become a clear milestone on our have been able to reach the point we are North Korea. way to the unification of Korea. Until at today. There is no doubt that Dr. Pak I believe that we can eliminate any now, the Hyundai Mt. Kumgang tourist and the president of Pyonghwa Motors, possibility of war if we help the North business was the model for business Park Sang-kwon, are the ones truly Korean economy through economic endeavors between the Koreas, but it responsible for the successful develop- cooperation with the South. In addition, has run into serious trouble. They are ment of the company to this point. I think we can hasten the moment of having many business difficulties. However, as a person who has been unification if we can solve the problems I have analyzed this and I find that working for the businesses in North of food, clothing and housing by sup- first, they failed to notice that South- Korea from the very beginning, I feel porting the exhausted North Korean North economic cooperation was at the strongly obligated to testify to the effort economy in ways the law allows. We beginning stage of economic integra- True Parents have made in guiding us may well have to face difficulties and tion. Second, they were too hasty, with- from A to Z, out of their deep love for problems at the outset, but with wis- out having worked things out on a North Korea and especially for their dom we should be able to overcome long-term basis. Third, they even went hometown, the eternal holy ground of them. against public opinion in paying too Chongju. If we can put our heads together and maintain a com- mon goal-the mutual prosper- ity of South and North Korea- we should be able to unify the economy of the two Koreas. The more economic exchanges builds trust between South and North, and the more of a syner- gy effect is produced for both Koreas’ prosperity, the better chance we have for the unifica- tion on a societal level. If we can reach that point, the situa- tion could develop whereby

30 Today’s World

In going to the opening of the The welcoming banquet, held Pyonghwa plant, we used a recently at the Po tong River Hotel completed ten-lane highway between 5,-:-~~

Pyongyang and Nampo, where the plant is located. It took us only thirty minutes. On previous trips, the road had not been thoroughly paved. It was an inconvenience and the trip took longer, but in the back of my mind I felt compassion for the North Korean labor- ers who must have worked hard to build the road in heat that would have easily dried their sweat. As soon as we reached the end of the highway, Pyonghwa Motors, in all its dignity, appeared before us. Two years ago, in the snow, at the time of the .; ~,. groundbreaking ceremony, it was just ment. It was really a moving moment. lines that they have a lot in common barren land. I couldn’t believe my eyes It is a big mystery to me that in this, with the top leader of the country. They that such a wonderful looking plant the most advanced scientific age, the also dig out “heroes” from all walks of now stood there. Although it was a 21st century, such a feudalistic nation as life, such as a simple factory worker, a rainy day, an orderly crowd of about North Korea exists. People can travel woman farmer or an athlete, so that three thousand North Koreans were around the entire globe in a day; the they can maximize their effectiveness waiting for the ceremony to begin. world is becoming a global community. and reach the goal of all organizations, The Secretary of the North Korean Only North Korea resists taking its in line with a planning program they Workers’ Party, who is also the chair- place in that community. I don’t under- call “learning from heroes.” I think that man of the Asia-Pacific Peace Commit- stand how they have the nerve to say we could learn something from their tee, Kim Young-soon, was there, as was that they can live in their own way, by organizational skills, as we are people his vice chairman, Son Ho-kyung, Cabi- themselves. It’s an enigma to me. who have the ultimate goal of realizing net Counselor Joo II-churl, Cho Sun They don’t seem to hide, however, the settlement of the CheonII Guk and company president Lee Jung-churl, the fact that it is very hard to force into the liberation of our homeland in this, Choson Ryunbong Combined Company reality what they are trying to achieve. the age of CheonII Guk. (the North Korean investor) president They acknowledge it, but at the same North Koreans are very ideologically Shin Kyung-rin-and other people of time, they try to appeal to people to oriented, strong in morals and ethics. high social standing. This turnout overcome the present difficulties. They But the problem is they don’t have a lot demonstrated North Korea’s great have slogans such as, “We should smile to eat and wear. Once they solve these interest in Pyonghwa Motors. From our even if things are rough,” and “We will basic needs they will gain self confi- side, Dr. Pak Bo-hi, Rev. Hwang Sun-jo, see who is smiling in the end!” I can’t dence. When you are hungry you can Rev. Peter Kim and Park Sang-kwon figure out why it is so, but they seem still say that you are full, but ultimately participated in this historic event. very certain of a successful future. you cannot hide your suffering face. For Many of those who were at the I could describe North Koreans as this reason, the North Korean authori- groundbreaking two years ago were on people who have a religious fanaticism ties do not really look forward to the hand to celebrate the completion of the toward their leader, Kim II-sung. From family reunions [that are from time to construction. The only difference was my several visits there, I’ve arrived at time being arranged between families the weather. Then it snowed, now it the conclusion that it is a feudalistic separated between North and South] rained; but in two years, something country with a national religion I would because of the difference in appearance great was created out of nothing. Where call “Kim II-sungism.” Without under- between the North and South Koreans. once there was only deserted land now standing this aspect of the North, it is When basic needs are fulfilled, how- stands a beautiful, grand factory with impossible for anyone to understand ever, they will regain confidence. And the most advanced facilities and equip- what is going on there. The Keum Soo so too when they interact more socially mountain palace, where Kim II-sung’s and politically. The final fruit of confi- body lies is always busy with visitors dent political exchanges would be gen- 365 days a year. Kim Jong-il keeps hold eral elections embracing both South and of his political power by maintaining North. the image of a filial son who is Needless to say, we should take absolutely following his father’s will. Pyonghwa Motors seriously, as it is our Chairman Kim Jong-il uses the method, first step on a thousand-mile journey. I traditionally employed by his predeces- am not directly involved with the com- sor, of giving on the spot guidance. In pany now, but I would like to con- that way, he appeases the laborers and tribute to it as much as I can. I close my those from neglected areas and social testimony with my deepest wish for the classes by showing them that their leader is interested in them. Sometimes, this method is shrewdly used to con- success.. Pyonghwa Motor Company’s eternal

vince laborers working on assembly Cho Sung-nak is of the 6000-couple Blessing

Apri/2002 31