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| South and North Korean representatives shake hands at the start of inter-Korean talks in the border city of Gaeseong in the North, Friday. At left is South Korea's Vice Unification Minister Hwang Boo-gi, and at right is Jon Jong-su, vice director of the secretariat of the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea. / Joint Press Corps |
By Jun Ji-hye and Joint Press Corps
South and North Korea appeared divided on key issues, during the first round of vice-ministerial talks Friday, such as the reunions of families torn apart by the 1950-53 Korean War and the resumption of the suspended joint tour program to Mount Geumgang.
The dialogue opened amicably with a 30-minute session at 10:40 a.m. at the joint industrial complex in the North's border city of Gaeseong, at which the two sides shared the need for mutual efforts in mending strained inter-Korean relations.
But they made no more progress afterward, dragging their feet to return to the negotiating table in the afternoon. The delay raised speculation that they experienced difficulties in narrowing the differences on key issues such as whether to normalize reunions for war-separated families and resume the suspended tours to the North's scenic mountain resort.
Unification Ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee refused to elaborate on the details of the dialogue, only saying, "I hope you understand that I cannot mention anything in detail as the negotiations are ongoing. I will let you know once we finish."
He also refused to confirm whether the South suggested the separated family issue as an urgent question to be resolved, saying, "I cannot say that either, as everything is related to the agenda."
The talks took place as part of efforts to implement a landmark inter-Korean deal reached on Aug. 25 when military tensions were heightened on the Korean Peninsula after North Korean landmines in the South-controlled section of the Demilitarized Zone maimed two South Korean soldiers.
But observers say it would not be easy for the two sides to produce a major breakthrough, given there have been great differences of opinion.
They also say that vice ministerial dialogue has some limits in reaching any meaningful agreements.
The three-member South Korean delegation, led by Vice Unification Minister Hwang Boo-gi, arrived at Gaeseong about 9:53 a.m., where they were received by Jon Jong-su, the North's chief negotiator.
During his introductory comments, Jon said: "We should make a mutual effort to bring warmth to the relations between the two Koreas."
For his part, Hwang said: "We should step off on the right foot and open up the great way of unification."
Jon responded: "I agree. We should break down barriers, bridge the chasm and open up the passage."
When the two sides met at the truce village of Panmunjeom on Nov. 26 to decide the date of the vice-ministerial talks, the South stressed that the separated families issue is a major task that should be resolved, while the North regarded the Mount Geumgang tours as the more urgent issue, according to spokesman Jeong.
Seoul has placed top priority on resolving the issue of separated families as time is running out for the surviving 66,000 family members in the South, most of whom are over 80.
The Mount Geumgang tours have been suspended since 2008 after a North Korean soldier gunned down South Korean tourist Park Wang-ja for entering a restricted military area at the coast.
Pyongyang has repeatedly pressed Seoul to reopen the tour program in an apparent move to earn hard currency.
Meanwhile, North Korean media has pressured the South to "show its will to improve inter-Korean ties" on the day of the vice ministerial dialogue.
The Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of the North's ruling Workers' Party, said, "The South has recently joined hands with foreign powers to cooperate on nuclear issues as well as talking about human rights-related issues, pouring cold water on the communication mode."
The newspaper said the South should "stop provocative acts and dual attitudes."
The newspaper has criticized the South and demanded for its change of attitude for about a week before the talks. Experts analyzed that the North intended to take the lead in the dialogue.
Follow Jun Ji-hye on Twitter @TheKopJihye
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