우보천리(牛步千里)의 첫 걸음이 남북을 변화시키다- 정주영의 소떼 방북과 남북 사회의 변화 -

Abstract

Chung Ju-yung, the honorary president of Hyundai crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) to North Korea along with 500 cows in June 16, 1998. This historical event should not be simply interpreted as self-made successful, old entrepreneur’s love of his home. Peace and unification can be actualized when common profits between both parties increase not by its justifiability or abstract declaration. Pragmatic approaches toward the inter-Korean relations are longer-lived than emotional ones are. Actually Chung’s business with North Korea was based on the pursuit of profit following logics of capitalist businessman along with his emotional reason, nostalgia. In the short run, income and expenditure on the balance sheet recorded deficit, and his son, Chung Mong-hun, who was in charge of business with North Korea in general committed suicide. Nevertheless, it is not difficult to guess that when Chung, who was a master at making money, paid substantial sum of money to North Korea, he already have had a bigger picture in his mind. Through this article, I would like to suggest that Chung’s negotiation with North Korea was the result of the much thoughtful consideration about various economical interests. Chung was expanding his dream into the mighty northern economy belt including China and Siberia over the Mt. Geumgang tour and Gaeseong Industrial Complex which were detailed starting points of his business with North Korea. On this premise, this writing aims to examine the effect of Chung’s visits to North Korea with cattle on Soutn and North Korean society afterward; and the process of how Chung broke the existing frame of the relation between South and North Korea which were dominated by the cause, ‘anti-North Korea’ and formulated South and North economic community pursuing practical interests. Chung’s visit to North Korea with cattle was the first step of the cow with steady walk toward thousand mile. However, it was based on practical benefits and interests, and resultingly, it made a great contribution to the reconciliation and cooperation between South and North Korea. Chung’s visit gains significance at this point that war is coming up in public discourse.