South Korean riot police have blockaded Imjingak park near the Demilitarized Zone to prevent South Korean radical groups from launching balloons with 200,000 propaganda leaflets over North Korea. This action has avoided a potential conflict between the North and the South. North Korea had said that it would launch a military strike to retaliate if the balloons were launched.

Crises occur repeatedly on the Korean Peninsula. Radical groups have never played a positive role in these crises. Actions like launching these leaflets will exert no influence on the political situation in North Korea. This provocation is a typical outcome of the situation left behind by the Cold War. It will only provoke hostile feelings on both sides.

Historical and present-day problems in Northeast Asia are inextricably interwoven. Spreading aggression brings no peace to the region. However, the reality is that radical groups that are enthusiastic when it comes to ideological struggles and preaching nationalism are expanding their influence. There is no counterweight balancing their influence on South Korean public opinion.

It would appear that these groups have hijacked South Korean public opinion. Every time South Korea has a conflict with other countries, its public impetuously makes calls to overwhelm the other side.

Obviously, some South Korean people's nationalist sentiments are growing stronger. South Korea has made many achievements in economics and democratic politics in recent years. In order to balance power between strategic competitors, China, the US and Japan all try to avoid conflicts with Seoul. This makes them feel even better about themselves.

Pressing Pyongyang is never a good choice for Seoul. South Korea has few influential means to shape the political situation in the North. Seoul may think it is capable of uniting the South with the North on its own. This is incorrect. Also South Korea doesn't have the strength and determination to launch another war. South Korean media outlets should not try to fool themselves.

The Chinese public is generally friendly toward South Korea despite occasional spats. As close neighbors, a restrained attitude is necessary. The North Korean issue concerns China's interest. A stable Korean Peninsula should be a shared goal of China and South Korea. A desired approach for the South is to work with China toward that goal, not forcing China to settle the issue after offending the North.

Seoul took measures to prevent radical organizations passing out leaflets. This is laudable. South Korea must take responsibility for remedying the damage these organizations have done. If a serious conflict breaks out in the Peninsula, South Korea will be the first victim. So Seoul should be more active than anybody else when it comes to maintaining peace in the region.