Seoul Willing to Discuss Summit Accord With Pyongyang
By Michael Ha
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak is willing to discuss with North Korea the specifics of the October 4, 2007, declaration made between then-President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, Unification Minister Kim Ha-joong said Tuesday.
He said it was still possible for the two Koreas to implement the provisions in the joint accord.
The statement is a subtle change from the conservative administration's previous policy and may encourage North Korea to come to the negotiation table, analysts said.
Pyongyang has urged the Lee administration to honor the summit accords before resuming a stalled dialogue.
``If we negotiate with North Korea, it may be possible implement the October 4 declaration 100 percent. We can discuss with the North every single specific detail. It would be premature at this stage to decide what we can and cannot do," Kim said.
``I would like to point out that our government is open to talk about the specifics with the North, based on mutual respect and understanding of the current reality,'' the minister said. He made the comments during a luncheon meeting with reporters in Seoul.
The Oct. 4 accord was signed last year by former President Roh during the second inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang. Critics have argued that the lame duck President gave up too much without getting concessions in return. Critics said there are problems with a number of specifics in the joint declaration, including the issue of the Northern Limit Line and a joint fishing area.
The unification minister added that Seoul recently received a proposal from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about the possibility of the two Korean national teams jointly entering the 2008 summer Olympics' opening ceremony in Beijing.
``Our government welcomes that idea. We understand that the IOC is also making the proposal to North Korea.''
Kim also welcomed the recent progress on denuclearization in the North. He said the possible normalization of ties between North Korea and the United States should be welcomed, since such a development would likely bring South Korea and North Korea closer.
``The six-party talks have provided the impetus for improving the North Korea-U.S. relations while there has been little progress in the South-North relations. But in the future, as North Korea continues its denuclearization and as the North and America improve their ties, that will also have a positive impact on the Seoul-Pyongyang relationship.
``The United States will emphasize to the North the importance of inter-Korean relations. It's difficult to imagine that an improvement in the U.S.-North Korea relations would somehow lead to a deterioration in inter-Korean relations.''
The minister said the Lee administration has expressed its willingness to talk with the North. ``President Lee announced in April his desire to open liaison offices in Seoul and Pyongyang. And I have also been expressing our government's willingness to talk with the North every chance I get.''
Kim said he believes North Korea also wants to continue dialogue with the South. ``We want to continue to foster stronger economic ties and stable development of the Gaesung Industrial Complex. We also want to continue to make inroads in humanitarian issues including bringing together families dispersed between the South and the North.''
``We will also cooperate and work with the North in resolving the food shortage including offering food aid,'' he said.