Meaning of N. Korean condolence mission to Seoul

A North Korean delegation`s visit to South Korea to pay homage to the late Hyundai group founder Chung Ju-Yung carries great significance as far as inter-Korean relations are concerned. However, Pyongyang refrained from attaching any greater meaning to the event than a mere offer of condolences. The delegation came to Seoul at a time when the planned fifth inter-Korean cabinet-level talks were on hold and the future of the Mt. Kumgang tourism project was clouded in doubt. A breach between Seoul and Washington also emerged following the summit between President Kim Dae-Jung and U.S. President George W. Bush.

Under the circumstances, the decision to send the condolence mission could be read as a clear sign of North Korea`s interest in moving ahead with the reconciliation process with the South and pushing forward with economic projects Hyundai is promoting in the North. However, the visit is unlikely to immediately restore momentum to stalled relations between the two Koreas. North Koreans in Seoul avoided meeting with South Korean officials and made no commitment to restarting official inter-Korean contacts. Some thoughts on their brief stay here are in order.

No talks with Southern officials:

``A few of our officials who are familiar with Song Ho-Kyong, vice chairman of the Asia-Pacific Peace Committee and head of the visiting delegation, exchanged greetings with him at the Hotel Shilla, but there was no full-fledged conversation,`` a National Intelligence Service official said. Leaving the hotel, Song said only that he was here to convey North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il`s condolences to the late Hyundai founders family. Such a reserved attitude on North Korea`s part was expected as the North informed the South of its intention to send a mission here via the Red Cross channel, instead of the official liaison office set up at the truce village of Panmunjom.

All private sector deals have so far been handled through the Red Cross office there. North Korea obviously wanted to make clear the non-governmental nature of the delegation.

Is inter-Korean dialogue online?

North Korean chief delegate Song stayed at the Hotel Shilla for about two-and-a-half hours on the afternoon of Mar. 24. The reaction of South Korean officials generated suspicions as to whether the line of communication between the Seoul and Pyongyang governments was fully functional. A number of intelligence officials, including highly placed ones, were on hand for the occasion, even setting up a situation room. Of course, they were supposed to be there to protect the security of the visitors. But they gave an impression of courting the Northerners in an impassioned way, casting doubt on the efficacy of Seoul`s official channel of communication with Pyongyang. South Korean officials are believed to have only told their Northern counterparts that Seoul was keen on resuming dialogue, including the stalled ministerial talks.

Latest visit had precedent:

The short trip to Seoul by Song and his delegation was similar to the one made by Park Jae-Kyung, political propaganda director of the North Korean army, who brought gifts of pine mushrooms to Seoul last September and headed home after a six-hour stay. The two visits were identical in terms of length and the limited purpose of conveying the goodwill of North Korea`s supreme leader. Defense Minister Cho Seong-Tae talked for a little over ten minutes with the visiting North Korean general last year, while Southern officials had a very short contact with Song this time. Similarly haphazard and brief encounters may take place between the two Koreas in the days to come. Some optimists would interpret the latest visit by a North Korean delegation as having set a precedent for similar missions on such ceremonial occasions as weddings, birthdays and funerals.

Kim Young-Sik spear@donga.com