The Seoul government appears to be putting the brakes on calls for inter-Korean dialogue to defuse peninsular tension, stressing that the appropriate atmosphere had yet to be forged with North Korea.

Soaring tension has fanned public security concerns, giving rise to voices demanding talks to discuss a way out of the standoff between the two Koreas. Some opposition lawmakers have suggested a special envoy be sent to Pyongyang.

But within the government, skepticism over dialogue with the North appears to prevail.

“(There isn’t) the atmosphere for inter-Korean dialogue at this moment that is meaningful, and can be helpful to seek a practical solution to the problems (facing the two Koreas),” said Unification Ministry spokesperson Kim Hyung-suk

“In principle, there should be an atmosphere for dialogue and what matters is the attitude of the interlocutor. But our government, as always, leaves open the door for talks with the North.”

He stressed Seoul would deal sternly with the current situation to ensure North Korea would not make “inappropriate” moves in the future. 
 

In recent weeks, the communist state has ratcheted up tension with a slew of bellicose threats to strike the U.S. and South Korea in anger over their ongoing allied military drills and additional sanctions for its recent nuclear and missile tests.

The ministry’s negative view on bilateral talks echoed the stern stance recently shown by Kim Jang-soo, who heads the presidential office of national security.

“We don’t fear any talks and would not make any rash, hasty attempt at talks with North Korea. Pyongyang should, on its own, forge an opportunity for dialogue,” he was quoted as saying during a security meeting at the presidential office.

Opposition lawmakers stepped up their calls for the government to consider dispatching a special envoy to Pyongyang to turn things around.

“There should be concrete action led by our government. We should seriously consider our proposal for the envoy to resume inter-Korean talks,” said Moon Hee-sang, interim leader of the main opposition Democratic United Party, during a party meeting in Busan.

The DUP’s spokesperson Jung Sung-ho called on President Park Geun-hye to exercise “flexible leadership” while ensuring that the South Korean military was fully ready to counter North Korean provocations.

“Some say even during wartime, enemies hold talks. But that is when it is too late. Talks are more meaningful when they can prevent the worst situation,” he said in a statement.

DUP adviser Chung Dong-young, who served as a unification minister under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, expressed his hope to visit North Korea personally, also urging the government to consider talks with the North.

“I personally want to visit the North to contribute to promoting inter-Korean communication and reducing tension on the peninsula,” he said in a radio interview.

Security experts, however, called for caution as an offer for talks could send the “wrong message” to the North, urging Seoul to remain stern regarding any provocative moves by the North Korean leadership to stop the “vicious circle” of provocations, dialogue and rewards.

Yang Moo-jin, professor at the University of North Korean Studies, however, said talks should be pushed for to build inter-Korean trust.

“I believe now is the right time for inter-Korean talks through which the new Seoul government can show it is different from the preceding government whose policy led to only bilateral confrontation,” he said.

“What is crucial is the stable management of the peninsular situation. If Seoul waits until Pyongyang comes forward first, what would be the difference of the Park Geun-hye government’s policy from the former Lee Myung-bak government’s?”

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)