Inter-Korean Talks on Verge of Rupture

The ministerial talks between South and North Korea have hit a snag till Friday morning apparently because of rice aid issue.

Both delegates have never had talks as of 8 Friday morning, following the 15-minute working-level contact at 5:30 p.m. the previous day. The two sides have not even exchanged drafts on joint statement, which will be made public at the close of the of the 21st high-level talks in Seoul Friday morning.

“The North won’t accept our proposal to contact,” said an official who refused to be dentified.

The North has not revealed the reason why they refuse to contact the South Korean negotiators. The North Koreans seem not to sit together at the negotiation table without settlement of rice aid issue in view of the remark of North Korean chief delegate Thursday, an official said, adding that he complained strongly over the delay of rice shipment to the North.

Consequently, the two sides have never touched main agenda items, such as conference of state research institutions to settle peace on the Korean Peninsula, defense ministers’ talks and gradual opening of reconnected railway. Sources cautiously predicted the rupture of the talks.

But another official said, “It’s too early to make a hasty conclusion on the outcome although the talks are still suspended.”

The two sides were to conclude the talks at a plenary session at 10 Friday morning. However, it is not clear whether the plenary session could be held as scheduled due to the prolonged deadlock.