N. Korea calls for increased exchanges, cooperation with South

SEOUL, Oct. 3 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean newspaper called Saturday for increased
inter-Korean exchanges and cooperative projects with the South, underscoring the
need to carry out accords reached by leaders of the two countries in the past.
In an editorial in the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the North's Workers'
Party, the North underscored the need for the two Koreas to "expand and develop
exchange and cooperation in various areas," according to Uriminzokkiri, the
official Web site of North Korea.
The comments came amid Pyongyang's sudden shift to conciliatory diplomacy toward
Seoul and Washington, apparently as the impoverished country feels the pinch of
sanctions by the United Nations Security Council over its past atomic tests and
military provocations.
Regardless of the nuclear deadlock and international sanctions, the North demands
that Seoul follow through with the accords of 2000 and 2007, reached between
North Korean leader Kim and liberal then South Korean Presidents Kim Dae-jung and
Roh Moo-hyun.
Roh's conservative successor, Lee Myung-bak, suspended unconditional aid to the
North and toughened up on its nuclear program.
"It is an anachronistic action to deny the accords and seek division of its
people and worsening of the North-South relation," the paper said, further
describing the accords as "touchstones" that would decide the future relation of
the two Koreas.
Washington is soon expected to make a decision on a possible trip to Pyongyang by
Stephen Bosworth, the U.S. special envoy for North Korean policy, after Chinese
Prime Minister Wen Jiabao completes a North Korean trip next week to meet with
its leader, Kim Jong-il, for a possible concession on the country's nuclear
stalemate.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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