By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
There has been a strategic shift in North Korea's policy responses to South Korea as well as outside world from provocation to dialogue after former U.S. President Bill Clinton visited the Stalinist country on Aug. 3, observed a North Korea watcher Sunday.
Cheong Seong-chang, senior fellow of the Sejong Institute, told The Korea Times that the North came to show signs of seeking dialogue with stakeholder nations and that the Clinton effect laid the groundwork for the first high-level inter-Korean contacts in Seoul since President Lee Myung-bak took office in February last year.
``We need to wait to see how the first high-level contacts after Lee's inauguration will change inter-Korean relations. It seems to be clear though that the window for dialogue between the two Koreas is open wide,'' the North Korea expert said.
President Lee met with the North Korean delegation led by Kim Ki-nam, secretary of the Workers Party Central Committee, for 30 minutes on Sunday as part of his meetings with foreign dignitaries attending the late former President Kim Dae-jung's state funeral.
Other delegates included Kim Yang-gon, director of the United Front Department primarily responsible for dealing with inter-Korean relations.
Cheong said the North Korean delegates are power elites who are members of the inner circle in the communist state, adding that Kim Yang-gon is one of the closest aides to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.
On Saturday, the North Koreans met with Unification Minister Hyun In-taek, former Unification Minister Chung Dong-young and Chung Sye-kyun, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP).
``The high-level contacts were meaningful because both sides were able to understand that their counterparts were genuinely willing to have dialogue to thaw icy inter-Korean relations. Prior to the contacts, the two sides had held suspicions of their counterpart's motives and genuineness, and the distrust in part played a role in eroding inter-Korean relations,'' said Cheong.
The North Korea expert said a positive mood for inter-Korean dialogue was set in place as the key officials who are in decision-making positions came to understand their counterpart's candid and genuine feeling through the meetings.
``In fact, the North has sent signals to resume negotiations with South Korea and the United States, rather than seeking provocations, after Clinton's visit to the communist state,'' Cheong said.
The North Korea watcher said the strategic shift was a calculated move indicating that the North's power succession from Kim Jong-il to his third son Jong-un was on the right track, claiming that the North's gesture showed its confidence.
During his talks with the North Korean delegates, President Lee assured that South Korea would seek sincerity-based dialogue when dealing with issues related to inter-Korean relations.
The North Koreans shared the need for dialogue between two Koreas during the meeting.
Presidential Spokesman Lee Dong-kwan told reporters that North Korean leader Kim conveyed a verbal message through the North Korean delegation.
The spokesman confirmed that Kim's message was about improving inter-Korean relations, but declined to give details of the message.
Chief North Korean delegate Kim Ki-nam said his team ``had a nice talk'' with President Lee, and answered he was departing Seoul with a great feeling when asked about his impression of his visit to the South by reporters.