N. Korean official admits 'problems' in accords with S. Korea: report

SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Yonhap) -- A ranking North Korean official has admitted "there
may be problems" in implementing the two inter-Korean summit accords but accused
South Korea of completely opposing them, a British lawmaker said in a report on
his recent Pyongyang visit.
If confirmed, the alleged remark by Ri Jong-hyok, vice chairman of the
Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, Pyongyang's arm on inter-Korean affairs, could be a
sign that North Korea also believes part of the extensive economic and political
agreements forged in 2000 and 2007 should be revised in terms of their technical
implementation.
Pyongyang has officially demanded the complete implementation of the summit
accords reached between liberal South Korean presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh
Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, in which Seoul promised to
modernize roads, railways, factories and other dilapidated industrial
infrastructure in North Korea.
The incumbent conservative Lee Myung-bak government has said it supports the
"spirit" of the summit accords but that it will be difficult to fully implement
them. Fulfilling the accords would cost Seoul more than 14 trillion won (US$9.5
billion), by some estimates.
Pyongyang cut off dialogue in response to Seoul's hardline stance and Seoul has
suspended food aid to the North.
"Although he accepted that there may be problems in implementation of some of the
provisions he stated that opposition to the documents is symbolic of the new
(Lee) government's opposition to the reunification of Korea," a report released
by David Alton said of Ri.
Alton and several other British lawmakers visited Pyongyang and Seoul early this
month.
"Mr. Ri warned that no one can predict how bad this can get and that the DPRK
(North Korea) doesn't feel bound by the agreements with the South Koreans," the
report said, apparently referring to an inter-Korean non-aggression accord signed
1991 that Pyongyang declared void on Jan. 30 this year.
Inter-Korean relations have dipped to a record low since Lee took office a year
ago, adopting a tougher stance on Pyongyang's nuclear program and economic aid.
Military tension remains high amid signs that North Korea is preparing to launch
a missile from its east coast.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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