Talks offer by NK reflects bid to be 'nuclear state'

By Kang Seung-woo

North Korea’s conciliatory gestures toward the South reflect its bid to reshape itself as a “nuclear state” and take initiatives in its relations with Seoul, analysts said Monday.

Since Friday, the North’s National Defense Commission, Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces and the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea have urged the South to accept an offer for dialogue.

However, the South Korean government has rejected the proposals, citing a lack of sincerity.

“The series of offers from the North are intended to press the South to change its hostile policy toward the communist country,” said Chang Yong-seok, a senior researcher at the Institute for Peace and Unification Studies at Seoul National University, adding that additional North Korean agencies may join the charm offensive.

“To be more specific, the North claims it is a nuclear weapons state, and so its nuclear weapons program is not an issue to discuss with the South, and also Seoul should exclude foreign influence in talks on unification.”

In a speech to the Workers’ Party Congress, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared the isolated country was a “responsible” nuclear weapons state.

An Chan-il, the head of the World Institute for North Korea Studies, echoed Chang’s view.

“Following Kim’s declaration, North Korea seeks to be recognized as a nuclear power and gain the initiative in inter-Korean affairs,” An said.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) imposed new sanctions on North Korea, March 2, for its Jan. 6 nuclear test and Feb. 7 long-range rocket launch, both of which violated UNSC resolutions.

Seoul’s foreign ministry estimates that international sanctions are having immediate effects as many countries have halted financial transactions with the North in accordance with them.

“In this situation, the North is trying to find a breakthrough in relations with the South,” An said.

The analysts also said that the dialogue offers were made in order to stop the South Korean military’s broadcasting of propaganda messages and activists’ balloon propaganda campaigns that Pyongyang denounces as damaging to its dignity.

“The North is sensitive to the propaganda campaigns, so it is definitely trying to resolve the issue,” said Chang.

An also said that the North’s recent moves may be aimed at setting the stage for a fifth nuclear test.

“The North is trying to highlight its charm offensive to the international community and the South’s failure to ease tensions, justifying its dependence on nuclear weapons,” he said.

The South’s unification ministry said Monday that North Korea should stop its groundless accusations that Seoul is raising tension on the Korean Peninsula.

“The North’s dialogue offer appears to be aimed at driving a wedge between people living in the South, and to weaken the international sanctions regime,” ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee said at a press briefing.

Although the government says this is not the time to talk about dialogue with the North, analysts said it will be difficult for the South to hold fast for the North’s denuclearization.

“When the North offers dialogue, we could call for a meeting that will include discussing the North’s nuclear and missile programs,” said An.

Chang also said that to avoid unnecessary military confrontation, the South Korean government needs to take separate steps with the North.

“While sticking with the U.N. sanctions, we can meet with North Korea to ease military tension that may be caused by the North’s conventional weapons,” Chang said.