Preconditions for talks

Action-for-action approach advisable for Korean peace

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has expressed willingness to resume the six-party talks and his stance to adhere to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The proposal will sound hollow unless Pyongyang honors the preconditions for the multilateral meeting.

Few would be willing to accept Kim’s proposal at face value this time.

This is not the first time that the North Korean leader proposed the resumption of the six-nation dialogue. Lamentable is the North's misuse of the talks to extort food and economic aid from South Korea and the international community.

Pyongyang exploited the talks to prepare for surprises, including missile-firing and nuclear testing. Pyongyang also abused the talks to save time for nuclear stockpiling. The superficial peace offensive has been sometimes aimed at consolidating internal unity. Kim probably wants to focus on a power transfer to his third-son Jong-un while the talks are under way.

There are preconditions for resuming the talks. First, Pyongyang must apologize for its clandestine sinking of the South Korean warship which killed 46 sailors. It should pledge not to repeat the same hostile actions.

Second, it must take voluntary steps to dismantle its nuclear weapons. Third, it should also promise not to conduct nuclear tests or fire missiles while the talks are under way.

There is little possibility that Pyongyang will honor the preconditions. Seoul and its allies, including the United States, can also outline what they will do if the North shows sincerity. Seoul and Washington can suspend their joint military drills on condition that North Korea apologizes for its sinking of the Navy ship. South Korea and the United States could link economic aid to the North’s written commitment of suspending nuclear tests.

The six-country talks are an intrinsically flawed and ineffective mechanism for dismantling the North’s nuclear stockpiles. North Korea wants a diplomatic establishment with the United States. Working-level talks between the two countries are worth reviewing. Talks are better than no contact. China, chair of the six-party talks, appears not to be equidistance toward the two Koreas.

The Obama administration is reportedly reviewing its current North Korea policy. The review is allegedly coming out on its judgment that sanctions alone will not change the behavior of the Kim regime. A group of the governing Grand National Party is showing signs of a proactive attitude toward the flood-stricken North Korea. Some members proposed the delivery of relief goods there.

It is recommendable for the Obama administration not to get ahead of Seoul before reengaging the North. Seoul and Washington should decide whether to reengage with the North. The conservative Lee Myung-bak administration has yet to indicate any possibility of revising its hard-line North Korea policy. The Lee administration needs an internal consensus before reengaging the North. Its sudden U-turn may irk conservatives and confuse liberals. A hasty move for an inter-Korean summit is the least recommendable thing. An action-for-action approach is advisable.