Time to Move Toward Denuclearization, Peace, Reconciliation

It is hard to predict how inter-Korean relations will develop this year considering the precariousness of the Kim Jong-il regime and its notorious brinksmanship. Policymakers and analysts are trying to ascertain whether North Korea will make any changes to solve its nuclear standoff and promote peace on the peninsula. Needless to say, there isn't a South Korean who does not want to see better ties between the two rivals.

In this regard, the joint New Year's editorial published by the North's official newspapers, has caught the South's attention. First of all, the editorial didn't repeat its old habit of denouncing the Seoul government. It called for efforts to open the way for improved South-North ties, saying that this year will mark the 10th anniversary of the historic inter-Korean summit held on June 15, 2000.

An official at the South's Ministry of Unification described the editorial as a positive sign, hoping that the two sides can mend ties and move toward peace, reconciliation and co-prosperity. However, it remains to be seen whether Pyongyang will take substantive action to build a better relationship with Seoul and put inter-Korean cooperation back on the right track. It is still premature to expect any meaningful change from the North.

More than anything else, it is urgent that the North come back to the stalled six-nation denuclearization talks. But the world's last Stalinist country has still been noncommittal about its return to the multilateral negations since a December visit by U.S. special envoy Stephen Bosworth to Pyongyang. During the first bilateral meeting between the North and the U.S. since the installation of the Barak Obama administration, the two sides reached a common understanding on the need for and the role of the six-party talks and the importance of the 2005 joint statement on Pyongyang's commitment to denuclearization.

The editorial, issued by the North's ruling party, army and youth military, said that the North remains consistent in its efforts ``to establish a lasting peace system on the Korean Peninsula and make it nuclear-free through dialog and negotiations." It called for an end to the hostile relationship between Pyongyang and Washington. This could be seen as the North's intention of normalizing ties with the U.S. But the problem is that the communist state is apparently putting a peace mechanism before its denuclearization.

It seems that the Kim regime is seeking to sign a peace treaty with the U.S. to replace the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War. But the U.S. and South Korea are firm in their position that the North's complete denuclearization should come first before signing such a treaty. Thus, Pyongyang should immediately return to the six-party process if it really wants to have peace on the peninsula.

On the economic front, the editorial said the North will focus on raising the living standard of its people by developing its light and agricultural industries. The North is mired in deepening economic trouble and a large number of its people are suffering from poverty and hunger. Therefore, it is urgent for the Kim regime to give up its nuclear program and concentrate on economic resuscitation. Once again, we urge Pyongyang to take a seat at the table and discuss how it will abandon its nuclear ambitions in return for economic assistance, diplomatic incentives and peace.