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The Blue House
Seoul, Republic of Korea

A new year descended upon the land of morning calm, and with that a new cabinet meeting was in order to discuss the pressing matters facing the Republic of Korea. A gathering of sixteen men and two women had arrived, and an exchange of bows and wishes for the new year were exchanged between all present. With the greetings out of the way, it was time for business to begin.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance, Hyun Oh-seok, adjusted his glasses before presenting his laptop's screen upon the projector. "I'm sure many of us are aware of the new economic crisis that has been affecting the European Union as of last week. Our top economists now believe that the Euro faces a rapid decline in value." With a press of a button, a graph of the Euro's value flashed upon the screen. "There has, however, been a knock-on effect to such another devastating crisis to the Euro."

The projection switched to one showing an upward growth to the value of the Korean Won. Hyun stared up at the chart with a relatively stoic face before turning back towards his fellow ministers. "As you can see, with the major businesses of Europe beginning to invest in the currencies of Asia, the value of the Won has began to rise."

Murmuring could be heard between the other economic ministers; most concerned and only few positive. Amongst all of this President Park spoke out, ushering a silence. "Let's not be full of gloom, gentlemen. With our three-year plan to rebalance our export-led economy, a rising Won can hold benefits for us."

"Thank you, madame," replied a grateful Hyun. "Indeed, both company officials and industrial analysts are confident that this is something we should no longer fear. Even our famed exporters, the shipbuilders, have seen a growing share of their revenue in areas where the Japanese have no presence." Another tap upon the keyboard brought the statistics of Korea's imports upon the screen. "With a lack of natural resources our industries are forced to import - and with a stronger Won, their raw resources are all the cheaper. What this means is that our homegrown industries are looking forward to a tremendous growth. What more, we shall even face growth in investing upon facilities - where there was an era of decline - which shall help our long-term competitiveness."

Park nodded. "I had warned you before that our past methods of growth had reached a limit. We had to change, and a rising Won is exactly what can help us bring the fruits of growth to all Koreans." She offered a confident smile to her cabinet members before looking back at Hyun. "I assume measures shall be taken to ensure the Won maintains a slow rise?"

"Certainly, madame," replied the Minister of Finance. "I should mention that many service industries can benefit from an appreciated Won. This could assist in our plans to boost the steadily-growing service sector even further. Combined with our affordable economic reforms, Korea shall be in a strong financial position," concluded Hyun as he sat back down.

"Excellent." The President scanned across the room, reading her agenda. "I believe our next issue shall be that of the planned Korean Peace Talks."

The grey haired Minister of Unification, Ryoo Kihl-jae, cleared his throat before reading from his own laptop. "As you all know, China has been especially insistent upon holding the peace talks for the Korean peninsula. With them as a mediator, I see a great opportunity for the basis on unification to be modelled around."

Sitting beside him was Yun Byung-se, the Foreign Minister. "An approach of dialogue has been working well with the north over the last year. Combined with pressure, not only have we managed to avoid nuclear scares but the family reunions have been going spectacular."

At this, Ryoo beamed proudly before projecting a schedule upon the screen. Highlighted in a light blue were key dates - February 20th, April 14th, June 29th, August 15th, and November 26th. "Five, gentlemen. Five family reunions in the one year. An astounding record by all counts!"

Yun chuckled at the minister's enthusiasm. "Yes, we've never managed such successes before. Tell me, did they ever get back to you for the next family reunion?"

With an unceasing grin, Ryoo answered. "The Vice Minister of re-unification is currently engaged in talks with his counterpart as we speak. I predict we may even manage one by the end of this month, if not by February."

"Remarkable timing. But no matter how well they go, we mustn't lower our guard," warned Yun, a frown crossing his face. "Satellite imagery has shown their nuclear programme has taken no signs of dismantlement, and the treatment of their people has hardly improved - if at all." He let out an annoyed sigh in light of both facts.

"This is what these peace talks can handle," interjected Park. "Foreign Minister Yun, you do raise good points. To allow the north to continue possessing such dangerous weaponry at the expense of its own people is something which not only threatens the livelihood of North Koreans, but ourselves too."

A fast talking and sharply dressed Kim Kwan-jin quipped. "Let's take a moment to remember their cold war era precision systems are well-known to be unreliable, and that they have the full knowledge any nuclear exchange will result in their absolute destruction. What's most at threat from their nuclear programme at present is not our own people, but rather their economy." The Minister of Defence smirked at his comment before continuing. "Besides, our newly developed cyberweaponry only requires the slightest finetuning before it shall be able to easily dismantle their programme by force." Kim briefly paused, with President Park glancing over to him. "Of course, in the name of inter-Korean relations we would never pre-emptively deploy such weaponry unless they were to begin a repeat of their bellicose acts in 2013."

Park nodded approvingly, "Return kindness with kindness, and anger with anger. Our approach must be from two angles, of course: dialogue and pressure. As Minister Kim shows us, we have the pressure. So what can be better dialogue than Peace Talks?" The President projected the Chinese government's invitation to Shanghai upon the projector.

"With the North Korean government having shown a more reasonable face this past year, and my good friend Xi kindly offering to mediate, I believe a new summit can get us far. You all know my thoughts on the Sunshine policy. We can't be over-reliant on either benefits or pressure. What will get us far with North Korea is building relations, and with last year's success I believe we can push trustpolitik even further."

The Minister of Unification nodded eagerly. "That's exactly my thoughts, madame. Your dining room table strategy can go far."

Ryoo referred to one of Park's own strategies, where in return for establishing trust and enacting a policy of denuclearisation, the Republic of Korea would grant the North additional amounts of humanitarian aid alongside giving assistance to North Korea's infrastructure and people's well-being. It would furthermore come with inter-Korean cultural projects and increased communications, which would prove useful for a lasting reunification of the peninsula.

"It's time to move beyond the appetisers and offer a great variety of delicious dishes--"

"--and in return for them, they shall take steps towards dismantling their nuclear programme," continued Yun, finishing off Ryoo's sentence.

Park smiled to them both. "It's something that will benefit the entire Korean nation, and this summit is the perfect chance."

Yun leaned forward as he inquired, "Who shall be attending on behalf of the Republic, madame?"

"I took time thinking about it the moment we received China's invitation, and I came to a conclusion." she replied, piquing the interest of all present. "One of the most important factors in inter-Korean relations will depend upon honest discussions about all concerns between myself and Kim Jong-Un."

A silence followed the President's announcement. The Foreign Minister was unsurprised at such a decision, but carried his own reservations. Not only was the dictator of North Korea known to be irrational, he was a man who had so far succeeded in distancing North Korea from China. Yun simply couldn't help but wonder if North Korea would even agree to attend the talks. Regardless, it was a meeting that Yun was supportive of.

"I agree with you. Considering that these will be our most important summit since 2007 - and perhaps rivalling even the original armistice agreement - it's only natural that our President represents the people.

Park added on, "Such a meeting is vital for trustpolitik, don't you agree?" Her question elicited nods from all present.

"My position is that I can hold a meeting with Kim Jong-Un at any time to help develop our trust, or to secure peace on the Korean Peninsula - and the Shanghai talks can achieve both." The President turned back to Yun. "Send a message to Pyongyang and Beijing detailing our proposal."

"As you wish, ma'am."

As the President began to address the matter of education with the remaining cabinet members, both Yun and Ryoo instead embarked upon notifying the concerned parties of Park's proposal. South Korea was ready to attend the Shanghai Peace Talks - but what of the North?

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