Seoul asks NK for talks

By Jun Ji-hye

The government proposed Monday holding minister-level inter-Korean talks next month to discuss mutual concerns including the reunion of families separated during the 1950-53 Korean War.

Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae told a press briefing that a presidential committee to prepare for unification sent a fax message to the North offering dialogue.

“We are looking forward to receiving a positive reply,” he said.

The recipient of the message is Kim Yang-gon, a secretary in charge of South Korea affairs at the ruling Workers’ Party.

The committee was launched on July 15 with a mission to build trust between the two Koreas and lay the groundwork for unification. President Park Geun-hye is chairwoman, while Minister Ryoo and former Korean Ambassador to China Chung Chong-wook serve as deputy heads.

“The South and the North will have to meet each other and discuss ways toward peaceful unification as Korea is to mark the 70th anniversary of liberation from Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule in the coming year,” Ryoo said.

He added that he would lead the South’s delegation if the meeting is held, saying that the venue can be Seoul, Pyongyang or another place agreed to by the two sides.

The minister noted that Seoul is hoping to arrange another reunion event for war-separated families before the Lunar New Year holidays in mid-February. The last event was held in February.

When asked whether Seoul is ready to discuss resuming the tour project to Mt. Geumgang and lifting the May 24 sanctions, Ryoo said, “Any issues can be discussed.”

The government’s offer of dialogue came a few days after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a letter to Lee Hee-ho, the widow of the late President Kim Dae-jung, in which he vowed to make every effort to realize unification of the two Koreas.

The letter sent Wednesday was construed as a positive sign toward promoting dialogue on the peninsula and thawing relations between the two sides.

Seoul’s proposal also came three days ahead of the young leader’s New Year message that will likely outline Pyongyang’s strategy on inter-Korean ties and relations with the United States.

Prof. Kim Yong-hyun, teaching North Korean Studies at Dongguk University, said there has been a growing need for the two Koreas to have conversations to improve relations. The North’s isolation in international society has deepened, while the Park government has failed to display any notable achievement in its inter-Korean policies, he said.

“Such a need could lead to action by the two sides,” he said. “Plus, the year 2015 is seen as a golden time to resolve their icy relations, considering that the South needs to hold general elections in 2016 and a presidential poll in 2017. Seoul probably wants to hear something from Kim Jong-un during his New Year message.”

The professor said there is a possibility of the reclusive state accepting the South’s offer, but added the two sides could disagree over the agenda.

The two Koreas had agreed to hold high-level talks between late October and early November during a surprise visit to South Korea by a high-powered North Korean delegation including Kim Yang-gon. But the North backtracked on the agreement in protest of anti-Pyongyang leaflets scattered by South Korean activists.

Follow Jun Ji-hye on Twitter @TheKopJihye