By Chung Min-uck
There are signs that inter-Korean relations will likely improve given recent changes made toward mending fences between the two Koreas, experts said, Sunday.
First of all, President Park Geun-hye recently sacked Kim Jang-soo, Chief of the Presidential National Security Office, and Nam Jae-joon, Director of the National Intelligence Service.
Kim and Nam were both perceived as hardliners on North Korea and, according to experts, their replacement with dovish figures will help reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Inter-Korean ties have slipped into a confrontational mode since late February after Seoul and Washington kicked off joint military drills and the North threatened to launch a "new form" of nuclear test.
North Korea's slanderous verbal attacks on South Korea have also reached an unprecedented height, after the unmarried female leader was called an "old prostitute" and the Park administration a "puppet of the United States."
In other positive signs for the cross-border ties, North Korea last week said it would take part in the 2014 Asian Games competition to be held in Incheon in South Korea.
"The North's decision to participate in the international sports event hosted by the South is to help mend relations," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. "At least, the move reduced the possibility of Pyongyang carrying out a nuclear test or missile launches."
Chinese President Xi Jinping's possible visit to Seoul next month is also expected to help hold back provocations from North Korea.
Beijing, Pyongyang's only remaining ally and its biggest economic benefactor, is currently taking a principled stance in opposing military provocations from the North, especially, a nuclear test.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will make a two-day visit to Seoul today to discuss Xi's trip and bilateral cooperation in handling the North.
Last but not least, a scheduled visit by Pope Francis to South Korea from Aug. 14 to 18 will also serve as an opportunity for the two Koreas to improve their relations.
South Korea's Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung last week paid a landmark visit to the North, expressing hopes for continued dialogue between the two Koreas to promote peace.
"Cross-border tension may be protracted if the two sides don't make a turnabout in their relations before the Pope's visit," said Koh Yoo-hwan, a professor at Dongguk University in Seoul. "The two Koreas must begin concentrating their efforts on building mutual trust."
There are signs that inter-Korean relations will likely improve given recent changes made toward mending fences between the two Koreas, experts said, Sunday.
First of all, President Park Geun-hye recently sacked Kim Jang-soo, Chief of the Presidential National Security Office, and Nam Jae-joon, Director of the National Intelligence Service.
Kim and Nam were both perceived as hardliners on North Korea and, according to experts, their replacement with dovish figures will help reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Inter-Korean ties have slipped into a confrontational mode since late February after Seoul and Washington kicked off joint military drills and the North threatened to launch a "new form" of nuclear test.
North Korea's slanderous verbal attacks on South Korea have also reached an unprecedented height, after the unmarried female leader was called an "old prostitute" and the Park administration a "puppet of the United States."
In other positive signs for the cross-border ties, North Korea last week said it would take part in the 2014 Asian Games competition to be held in Incheon in South Korea.
"The North's decision to participate in the international sports event hosted by the South is to help mend relations," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. "At least, the move reduced the possibility of Pyongyang carrying out a nuclear test or missile launches."
Chinese President Xi Jinping's possible visit to Seoul next month is also expected to help hold back provocations from North Korea.
Beijing, Pyongyang's only remaining ally and its biggest economic benefactor, is currently taking a principled stance in opposing military provocations from the North, especially, a nuclear test.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will make a two-day visit to Seoul today to discuss Xi's trip and bilateral cooperation in handling the North.
Last but not least, a scheduled visit by Pope Francis to South Korea from Aug. 14 to 18 will also serve as an opportunity for the two Koreas to improve their relations.
South Korea's Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung last week paid a landmark visit to the North, expressing hopes for continued dialogue between the two Koreas to promote peace.
"Cross-border tension may be protracted if the two sides don't make a turnabout in their relations before the Pope's visit," said Koh Yoo-hwan, a professor at Dongguk University in Seoul. "The two Koreas must begin concentrating their efforts on building mutual trust."
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