James Bond, Britain's most famous secret agent, could be the latest
recruit to the cause of Korean reconciliation.
Rumours are circulating in Seoul's film industry that the fictional
spy's next task will be to thwart attempts by North Korean hardliners to
scupper the divided peninsula's reunification.
The dispatch of 007 to one of the world's thorniest trouble spots would
mirror real-life efforts by European countries to increase their role in
Korea.
The European Union has sent two high-powered delegations to North Korea
since May, a string of European nations have established diplomatic ties
with Pyongyang and European countries have pledged investment.
Europe's engagement with the reclusive Communist regime comes at a time
when efforts by Seoul and Washington to bring Pyongyang out of
international isolation have stalled.
Talks between the Koreas broke down last month and relations between
the US and North Korea have frosted over since President George W. Bush
arrived in the White House, making Europe more or less the only diplomatic
source in Pyongyang.
"When there is no dialogue between the US and North Korea it underlines
the value of Europe playing a positive role," said Antony Stokes,
political secretary at the British embassy in Seoul.
"We're not trying to take over from the US in Korea, we're just trying
to help."
Reflecting Europe's growing status as an honest broker on the
peninsula, South Korea's President Kim Dae-Jung toured European capitals
last week seeking assistance for his fading "sunshine" policy of
rapproch-ement with Pyongyang.
"The president wanted to thank Europe for its efforts and encourage it
to continue the process," said Kim Sangwoo, a ruling party member of South
Korea's foreign affairs committee. President Kim got what he wanted from
Tony Blair, British prime minister, who pledged increased support for
Korean reconciliation.
Last August, the UK joined a growing band of European countries with
embassies in Pyongyang. The number has risen from five to 13 in the past
18 months, with France and Ireland the only remaining EU members without a
diplomatic presence there.
But the strongest signal of Europe's commitment was a visit to
Pyongyang last May by some of the EU's highest-ranking officials,
including Goran Persson, prime minister of Sweden and then EU president,
and foreign policy commissioners Javier Solana and Chris Patten. The trip
was followed by a second summit in September.
The EU lobbied Pyongyang to engage in talks with Seoul, improve its
poor record on human rights and open up to foreign trade and investment to
help reduce grinding poverty and strengthen the country's fragile
infrastructure.
North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-il, has been suspicious of allowing
western companies into the country, fearing they could undermine his
military regime. But a few European companies have gained access. Siemens
of Germany is understood to have recently agreed a deal to upgrade
Pyongyang's telephone network.
Despite Europe's high profile in North Korea, Frank Hesske, EU
ambassador to Seoul, cautions that Europe's role should not be
exaggerated. "Europe is not on the frontline in Korea, so our relations
can be smoother than others. We're not dealing with ballistic missile
issues, like Washington and Seoul are. The reduced dialogue between the
main players makes Europe look more involved that it really is," he says.
Kim Sangwoo says Europe's role is to "gently prod" Washington to
re-engage in Korea.
However, since September 11, Washington has toughened its stance on
Pyongyang, which is blacklisted as a sponsor of terrorism and suspected of
developing weapons of mass destruction. Which may still leave James Bond
as a more potent weapon than the EU.
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