Abrupt, unilateral decision of P`yang incomprehensible

North Korea`s sudden and unilateral decision to call off the fifth inter-Korean ministerial talks, slated for Tuesday in Seoul, on the very day that the talks were to be held is incomprehensible. Needless to say, the South Korean side was taken aback by the move, having already made full preparations for the much-delayed talks. Since North Korean chief delegate Jon Kum-Jin failed to give concrete reasons for the postponement, skepticism surrounding North Korea`s sincerity has only grown. Pyongyang has often reneged on promises to attend meetings with the South in Seoul, as in the case of its unilateral postponement of the second inter-Korean working-level economic talks, which were scheduled for October last year. Despite the North`s inappropriate behavior, Seoul has so far refrained from taking countersteps.

However, it is more than a breach of etiquette for the North Korean side to so abruptly postpone ministerial talks, the most important dialogue channel between the divided Koreas. Worse is the fact that Pyongyang refused to even give reasons for the move. North Korea should provide a detailed explanation for its decision and offer a clearly worded apology. There is already rampant speculation as to the possible reasons for the North`s decision. Some analysts said the Pyongyang leadership may have intended to buy time to work out policies on the heels of the recent summit in Washington between President Kim Dae-Jung and U.S. president George W. Bush. Others theorized that Pyongyang might have been dissatisfied with President Kim`s concurrence on the need for Seoul and Washington to coordinate their North Korea policies. Another perceived reason is that Pyongyang may still be finalizing its stance on a planned visit to Seoul by Defense Commission Chairman and de facto North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, a topic that would have been tabled had the ministerial talks gone ahead as planned. Meanwhile, government officials speculated that the North Korean decision might actually have resulted from domestic circumstances and had little to do with the Kim-Bush talks. They said it could have something to do with Jon`s poor health or even his abrupt replacement as chief North Korean delegate to the inter-Korean ministerial talks.

At any rate, the sudden cancellation of the Seoul talks is feared to upset the development of improved inter-Korean relations. Such issues as Kim Jong-Il`s Seoul visit and measures for reducing military tension, facilitating more family reunions and promoting economic cooperation must be promptly addressed. The two Koreas must exchange views on the outcome of the Korea-U.S. summit talks, especially in light of the fact that inter-Korean relations could be significantly affected by the differences in viewpoints between Seoul and Washington. Another factor in the equation is proposed tripartite policy coordination on the North among the U.S., Japan and Korea, to which the North Korea has yet to respond. At this juncture, the government needs lay the groundwork for further efforts to develop relations between the two Koreas, between the U.S. and the South, and between the U.S. and the North.