Lee`s vows may boost inter-Korean ties

This year is expected to mark a turning point in inter-Korean ties following President Lee Myung-bak`s renewed vows to improve relations with North Korea.

Coming on the heels of an almost friendly New Year`s message from North Korea, the president`s comments added to the growing speculation that an inter-Korean summit may be in the works for this year.

"It looks like we are seeing a bit of a change in North Korea`s attitude toward the South," said one Foreign Ministry official speaking on condition of anonymity.

He said it was still early to predict whether the change would lead to a summit, but noted that unlike relations with other countries, ties between the two Koreas could suddenly pick up momentum.

In a joint editorial on Jan. 1, Pyongyang signaled that it hopes to improve relations with the South, most likely due to the need to address its deepening financial hardships.

Signaling that Seoul welcomes such gestures, President Lee yesterday stressed the need to open a liasion organization between the two Koreas.

Cheong Wa Dae sources said this was different from the president`s previous calls for such an office as it comes when the two sides are edging closer to each other.



"It`s now North Korea`s turn to pick up the ball that is in its court," said another diplomatic source declining to be identified.

North Korea appears to have shifted to a softer diplomatic gear as it faces ongoing economic difficulties amid a global downturn. The hardships seem to have been exacerbated on the back of toughened United Nations Security Council sanctions, according to experts here.

Noting Pyongyang`s growing aspirations to woo global economic partners, officials here have said the government may consider using the halted inter-Korean economic projects to bring the North back to the six-nation discussions aimed at ending its nuclear programs.

These talks have been suspended since April when the North quit the discussions, citing a U.N. denouncement of its rocket launch.

But Pyongyang has since July last year been reaching out towards Seoul and Washington, hinting that it wants to get back on the denuclearization track in return for a peace treaty to replace the armistice.

U.S. special envoy Stephen Bosworth was in Pyongyang discussing the issue for a rare visit between Dec. 8-10.

Officials from the two Koreas met earlier in October to discuss the possibility of an inter-Korean summit, which would be the third of its kind.

For the time being, most officials and experts here seemed to be in agreement that the six-nation dialogue would restart this year.

"We are still cautious because we have yet to see signs that the North is genuinely committed, but we are optimistic about the talks," said one diplomatic source requesting anonymity.

Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan in December had called for the multilateral discussions to begin as early as February to mark the Lunar New Year.

President Lee yesterday said he would prioritize the inter-Korean issue.

"We need to open a new chapter in South-North Korean ties this year," the president said in his new year`s address.

He also called on the North to return to the six-nation talks and said he hoped for progress in denuclearization to improve inter-Korean ties and also the economic conditions of the North Koreans.

(jemmie@heraldm.com)

By Kim Ji-hyun