(EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on Jan. 4)

Inter-Korean Ties
-Time to Move Toward Denuclearization, Peace, Reconciliation-

It is hard to predict how inter-Korean relations will develop this year
considering the precariousness of the Kim Jong-il regime and its notorious
brinksmanship. Policymakers and analysts are trying to ascertain whether North
Korea will make any changes to solve its nuclear standoff and promote peace on
the peninsula. Needless to say, there isn't a South Korean who does not want to
see better ties between the two rivals.
In this regard, the joint New Year's editorial published by the North's official
newspapers, has caught the South's attention. First of all, the editorial didn't
repeat its old habit of denouncing the Seoul government. It called for efforts to
open the way for improved South-North ties, saying that this year will mark the
10th anniversary of the historic inter-Korean summit held on June 15, 2000.
An official at the South's Ministry of Unification described the editorial as a
positive sign, hoping that the two sides can mend ties and move toward peace,
reconciliation and co-prosperity. However, it remains to be seen whether
Pyongyang will take substantive action to build a better relationship with Seoul
and put inter-Korean cooperation back on the right track. It is still premature
to expect any meaningful change from the North.
More than anything else, it is urgent that the North come back to the stalled
six-nation denuclearization talks. But the world's last Stalinist country has
still been noncommittal about its return to the multilateral negations since a
December visit by U.S. special envoy Stephen Bosworth to Pyongyang. During the
first bilateral meeting between the North and the U.S. since the installation of
the Barak Obama administration, the two sides reached a common understanding on
the need for and the role of the six-party talks and the importance of the 2005
joint statement on Pyongyang's commitment to denuclearization.
The editorial, issued by the North's ruling party, army and youth military, said
that the North remains consistent in its efforts ``to establish a lasting peace
system on the Korean Peninsula and make it nuclear-free through dialog and
negotiations." It called for an end to the hostile relationship between Pyongyang
and Washington. This could be seen as the North's intention of normalizing ties
with the U.S. But the problem is that the communist state is apparently putting a
peace mechanism before its denuclearization.
It seems that the Kim regime is seeking to sign a peace treaty with the U.S. to
replace the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War. But the U.S. and South
Korea are firm in their position that the North's complete denuclearization
should come first before signing such a treaty. Thus, Pyongyang should
immediately return to the six-party process if it really wants to have peace on
the peninsula.
On the economic front, the editorial said the North will focus on raising the
living standard of its people by developing its light and agricultural
industries. The North is mired in deepening economic trouble and a large number
of its people are suffering from poverty and hunger. Therefore, it is urgent for
the Kim regime to give up its nuclear program and concentrate on economic
resuscitation. Once again, we urge Pyongyang to take a seat at the table and
discuss how it will abandon its nuclear ambitions in return for economic
assistance, diplomatic incentives and peace.
(END)

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