Any breakthrough, successful, historical, negotiation requires three elements. First, understanding the issue clearly; second, leaders who are ready, decisive, willing; third, people who are ready to support. The crucial factor which can bring the elements together is historical maturity, and timing. We observe, right at this moment from all over the world, that when the issue hasn’t coalesced—where there is no common consensus/narrative— breakthrough is impossible. A mythical great leader may bring the issue, people together, but it is a myth; that kind of mythical age is over; it is a different time and age. It is the age of people—- more, precisely, the quality of people.
It is interesting to watch the quality of people and the leaders they produce. After all, leader comes from people. Just that there are genuine ones and opportunistic ones. The deciding factor is, again, historical maturity of the people.
The whole world is watching two Koreas. At the moment, at least, it may be the biggest event in the world. Mainly because the cause of two Koreas was history, world history. The unavoidable current of it. So Korea gets the limelight, now, for a few seconds.
The world will move on to other issues, but for Koreans, it is indeed a big deal with long lasting impact.
To do justice to Korean negotiation, a short column is not an answer. It’ll require many observers, many wonderful books from many different angles. It’ll be a feast, enjoyable feast for many people.
This time, it is going to be successful because the issue is clear. The issue has become clear and the historical baggage of fear and distrust lessened. Simply put, Koreans are getting over historical PTSD(post traumatic stress disorder). Peace, prosperity, maturity are finding their rightful place in Korea.
Moon Jae-in has been preparing for this moment all his life; now, ready, willing, mature, given the chance of life time, and with good heart. He is the man for the time. The important part is that he is given the chance because the people are ready.
Kim Jong-in is ready because it is about time; he sees China and Vietnam making tremendous progress while his people are struggling very badly; market force inside his kingdom is no longer controllable; feeling secure of his position within and without; after all, he is the new generation far removed from the PTSD; he is smart, decisive, with a sense of time, stage, state of the moment. Again, the issue has become clear to him; the people are ready for the rightful change. He has matured into the role he has to play. He is ready.
Donald Trump is a interestingly different story, a long story. In a way, he is also a product of history. Well, he is the product of American story, a fading story. Hopefully, the last gasp of a portion of the people. The Korean negotiation has been going on for long time and finally all the stars are lining up, and then comes Donny, the “I’m the man.” Wish him a lot of luck. Good luck my Donny Boy. You are ready.
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