President Lee Myung-bak’s visit to Myanmar earlier this week was significant as it signaled Korea’s willingness to help the Southeast Asian nation transition to democracy and achieve economic development.
The landmark visit ― the first by a South Korean president in 29 years ― was also intended to give a message to North Korean leaders. What Lee wanted to say can be summed up as: “Look at Myanmar. If you open up, plenty of support will come your way.”
Lee’s decision to visit Myanmar must have been a difficult one to make in light of the still fresh memories of North Korea’s 1983 terrorist bombing in Yangon, Myanmar’s old capital. An assassination attempt against the then president of South Korea, the bombing killed 17 top government officials and presidential advisers from Seoul.
The tragic incident strained relations between South Korea and Myanmar. It also led Myanmar to cut ties with North Korea. But in 2007, it restored relations with Pyongyang. Until recently, the two dictatorial regimes maintained close ties, with the North serving as a supplier of conventional weapons for Myanmar.
Things began to change last year, however, as Myanmar embarked on a road to liberalization and democratization. Since his inauguration in March 2011, President Thein Sein has pushed through sweeping reforms to steer his country out of isolation and poverty.
The Seoul government’s assistance will accelerate the impoverished country’s transition. During his summit with the Myanmar leader, Lee promised to help the country modernize its economy by providing grants, loans and, more importantly, Korea’s economic growth experience.
Seoul will also draw up a long-term development blueprint for Myanmar and set up a think tank modeled after the Korea Development Institute.
In turn, Lee urged President Thein Sein to stop doing any business with North Korea that violates international regulations. The Myanmar leader assured Lee that his country would no longer purchase weapons from the North.
He also pledged to honor a U.N. Security Council resolution that bans any engagement with North Korea that could assist its nuclear and long-range missile programs.
The Myanmar president has made the right decision. As Myanmar is now on a path of political and economic reform, there is little reason for it to maintain ties with North Korea, which would subject it to continued economic sanctions.
The United States has pressed Myanmar to end ties with the North as a condition for lifting sanctions.
Lee’s visit to Myanmar should make it clear to the leaders in Pyongyang that if they want to survive, they have no choice but to change course and break out of isolation. They must give up their nuclear ambitions and open up their country.
