Guest columnist. ROK Military Academy Class of '84 President Lee Jae-myung's proposal of 'E.N.D.' in his UN General Assembly keynote speech, an acronym for Exchange, Normalization, and Denuclearization, evokes connotations of 'ending,' 'termination,' and even a 'declaration of war's end.' While it appears to be a new attempt for peace on the Korean Peninsula, the 'E.N.D.' policy reminds us of the proverb, 'A leak from a bucket at home will also leak abroad.' The ambiguity and duality of principles displayed in domestic politics, along with a casual approach to security and failures in conflict management, are being mirrored in the critical domain of North Korean diplomacy.

1. Two gears with different axes of understanding 

The 'E.N.' in 'E.N.D.,' exchange and normalization, are steps aimed at restoring official dialogue channels and resolving adversarial relations based on trust built through exchange. This approach, preceding the ultimate goal of denuclearization, seems to be about establishing a foundation for peaceful coexistence where there is 'no need to fight.' However, North Korea's 'nuclear armament' and 'two-state theory' will render the Lee Jae-myung administration's efforts for 'exchange' and 'normalization' illusory.

For different entities to exchange, their thoughts and understanding must align on the same axis. Kim Jong Un of North Korea is prioritizing reliance on China and Russia and attempting a reversal, and he will likely perceive South Korea's proposals for exchange and normalization as a pipe dream in autumn.

To shatter such illusions, South Korea must keep the door open for dialogue while maintaining overwhelming deterrence based on a strong ROK-US alliance. President Lee Jae-myung's 'independent defense theory' is interpreted by some as 'the worst blunder, considering the withdrawal of US forces,' making this another issue that is not easily resolved. Strategic cards devoid of sincerity will not be taken by dogs, no matter how much they are coated with fragrance and honey.

2. Denuclearization is a childish idea of trimming leaves without removing rotten roots

The 'D' in 'E.N.D.,' denuclearization, has been reduced to the peculiar goal of 'halting advancement.' This is a significant departure from the previous goal of 'complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization (CVID).'

In a situation where North Korea seeks de facto recognition as a nuclear state, the approach of 'denuclearization' could instead empower North Korea's strategy. True peace cannot be achieved on an unstable balance of nuclear weapons, but only through the complete elimination of the nuclear threat.

3. Domestic and foreign issues are out of sync 

Given the current administration's violations of the separation of powers domestically and its escalation of extreme political division and social conflict, its claims at the UN, such as "The Republic of Korea is a country that has proven the UN's value," will struggle to gain credibility. The UN is likely viewing a South Korea that has been distorted to the left with concern.

It is difficult to earn the trust of the international community with a dualistic attitude that emphasizes human rights and freedom domestically while deferring them in relations with North Korea. Diplomacy is a domain that demands a high degree of trust and consistency; principles that waver internally can never build trust externally.

Although the government has expressed support for ROK-US relations normalization, this is merely an empty echo in a situation where North Korea does not need to show genuine willingness for denuclearization. True normalization requires the premise of the other party's willingness to change, and one-sided appeasement policies are unlikely to yield positive results. The lessons from the failures of numerous past North Korea policies must be revisited.

4. The 'E.N.D.' that should be stopped now is peace rhetoric, security collapse, and blind pro-China policy 

Stop Empty Talk on Peace: In a situation where North Korea has not abandoned its nuclear arsenal, the restoration of the September 19 Military Agreement is akin to a kiss between an angel and a serpent, and 'exchange' and 'normalization' are hollow cries. Treaties and administrations that have championed the cause of 'peace' have all failed. Entrusting security to romantic expectations of peace will lead to a weakening of military deterrence and increase the possibility of North Korean miscalculation, turning the Korean Peninsula into a battlefield.

Focusing solely on dialogue while ignoring North Korea's 'nuclear disarmament' signifies a voluntary dismantling of security and begging for peace. The only leverage to elicit North Korea's willingness to abandon its nuclear weapons is strong security and national power. The government is urged to face the gap between the idealistic goals of 'E.N.D.' and North Korea's strategy for the communization of the South.

Cease Negligence in Security: If North Korea's nuclear armament advancement and South Korea's security weakening coincide, North Korea will likely attempt to gain political and military superiority under the pretext of the 'two-state theory.' This raises extreme concerns that it could lead to the worst-case scenario of the entire Korean Peninsula being communized under North Korea's leadership, rather than a reunification through absorption and freedom.

Stop Domination by Chinese Communism policy: The government's 'E.N.D.' will weaken security, expand China's influence on the Korean Peninsula, undermine the ROK-US alliance, and ultimately lead to the tragedy of the Korean Peninsula falling under Chinese hegemony.

Peace can only be sustained with strong security capabilities 

Before pursuing the ideal of peace, the Lee Jae-myung administration must present a concrete and realistic roadmap for a 'nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.' The government's 'E.N.D.' is cautioned against leading to the worst-case scenario of the end of the Republic of Korea's free system. The majority of citizens have now grasped the reality of pro-North Korea and pro-China forces. We urge an immediate halt and reversal of peace rhetoric, security collapse, and the blind pro-China policies of vulnerable politicians.