The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    INTERVIEWAhn Hyo-seop wanted to share dedicated love with 'A Time Called You'

  • 3

    Distraught roller skater apologizes for costly premature celebration

  • 5

    Korea makes last-ditch bid to host World Expo 2030 in Busan

  • 7

    Heavy traffic jams mostly eased on 5th day of holiday

  • 9

    LA-based photographer captures Koreatown unfazed by pandemic

  • 11

    INTERVIEWIt is premature to revise ROK-US mutual defense treaty: veterans' group head

  • 13

    Korea picks up 2 medals in table tennis as gold drought continues

  • 15

    Shin-Hanul No. 2 nuclear reactor begins testing for full operation next year

  • 17

    Internet-only banks outperform legacy lenders in labor productivity

  • 19

    Public transit fares to increase in Seoul and Busan this week

  • 2

    Korea's Coast Guard apprehends 22 Chinese after illegal entry attempt

  • 4

    SHINee launches first Japan tour in 5 years

  • 6

    S. Korea wins 1st table tennis gold in 21 yrs

  • 8

    Consumers to face higher prices for daily necessities after Chuseok

  • 10

    Samsung chief visits Middle East to explore new businesses

  • 12

    No regrets for roller skaters after taking silver in relay

  • 14

    National Assembly speeds up efforts to outlaw dog meat consumption in Korea

  • 16

    'Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman' tops Chuseok holiday box office

  • 18

    4 injured in rockfall at tourist attraction on eastern island of Ulleung

  • 20

    Unification minister says NK's vicious cycle of provocations, rewards 'no longer works' under Yoon administration

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Wed, October 4, 2023 | 05:47
Editorial
Pyongyang’s Boycott
Posted : 2007-08-06 17:21
Updated : 2007-08-06 17:21
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
North Should Take Sincere Action for Reconciliation

North Korea has boycotted an annual inter-Korean event scheduled to be held in Busan in the South to mark the Aug. 15 Liberation Day. It is disappointing the North will not send its 100-member delegation, disrupting an event that was expected to help promote reconciliation and cooperation between the two Koreas.

The North has said they it does not want lawmakers from the conservative Grand National Party to have the main seats and deliver speeches during the ceremony, as the party fosters anti-North Korea policies. Earlier it tarnished a June 15 event by opposing the participation of a GNP lawmaker.

It has also cited the need for South Korea and the United States not to go ahead with the annual military exercise Ulji Focus Lens, which it said prevented it from attending the event. North Korea’s civic committee for implementing the joint declaration suggested the two Koreas hold rallies separately. North Korea also demanded representatives of pro-North Korean organizations active in Japan to have freer access to South Korea.

The North appears to have been wary of possible repercussions against the event among right-wing organizations in the port city where anti-North Korean sentiment is strong. The North has decided not to attend the event as its apparent wish to utilize the Busan event for propaganda purposes has been spoiled due to the aforementioned ``unfavorable’’ factors.

South Korea has been adopting a sympathetic approach in dealing with the reclusive North since the June 15 declaration of reconciliation and rapprochement in 2000. The historical accord has helped ease tension on the Korean peninsula to a great extent with various inter-Korean cooperation and exchange programs.

But in the process the South has been accused of maintaining an excessively docile attitude toward North Korea, with give-only policies instead of a reciprocal approach. North Korea’s recent boycott is also likely to trigger criticism of the government’s engagement policy.

Pyongyang has been adroitly attempting to gain interest by making the most of Seoul’s lenient attitude. On Aug. 3, one day before the North informed the South of its boycott, it proposed to hold the inter-Korean ministerial talks in mid-September to discuss economic cooperation projects and South Korea’s possible rice assistance.

This means the North is not willing to freeze the inter-Korean relations as a whole but is intent on getting much-needed economic assistance. North Korea remembers after the 21st ministerial meeting in early June it saw progress in cooperation with the South in light industry and natural resources areas.

The Unification Ministry and pro-North Korean bodies in South Korea are asked to bear in mind that a sympathy-oriented approach only will not be helpful in promoting inter-Korean relations and inducing the North to open up to the outside world.
 
wooribank
LG
Top 10 Stories
1Public transit fares to increase in Seoul and Busan this week Public transit fares to increase in Seoul and Busan this week
2Ruling party vows to investigate China's alleged influence operationsRuling party vows to investigate China's alleged influence operations
3Ruling party vows to investigate China's alleged influence operationsRuling party vows to investigate China's alleged influence operations
4Genesis GV80 Coupe looks to compete with Mercedes-Benz, BMW Genesis GV80 Coupe looks to compete with Mercedes-Benz, BMW
5Korean steelmakers on alert over initiation of EU carbon border tariff Korean steelmakers on alert over initiation of EU carbon border tariff
6Hyundai, Kia to extend earnings rally on strengthening dollar, solid sales Hyundai, Kia to extend earnings rally on strengthening dollar, solid sales
7Korean shipbuilders seek lead over Chinese rivals in selling LNG carriers to QatarKorean shipbuilders seek lead over Chinese rivals in selling LNG carriers to Qatar
830 out of 74 major financial companies lack female board member30 out of 74 major financial companies lack female board member
9Lawmakers want chairmen of financial firms held accountable over misconductLawmakers want chairmen of financial firms held accountable over misconduct
10Dong-A Socio Group's honorary chairman passes away at 96 Dong-A Socio Group's honorary chairman passes away at 96
Top 5 Entertainment News
1TREASURE takes flak for excluding Dokdo from its Japan tour map TREASURE takes flak for excluding Dokdo from its Japan tour map
2Two artists' windows to light and serenity Two artists' windows to light and serenity
3[INTERVIEW] Ahn Hyo-seop wanted to share dedicated love with 'A Time Called You' INTERVIEWAhn Hyo-seop wanted to share dedicated love with 'A Time Called You'
4'Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman' tops Chuseok holiday box office 'Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman' tops Chuseok holiday box office
5M+ deputy director discusses Seoul's potential to challenge Hong Kong as Asia's art hub M+ deputy director discusses Seoul's potential to challenge Hong Kong as Asia's art hub
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group