South Proposes North Joint Celebration of 6.15

In advance of the recommencement of the North-US dialogue, the South government is moving forward with a plan for the South-North dialogue. A government official said, ``It is desirable that the South independently tries to resolve the problems between the South and the North.`` After completely reviewing its North Korean policies by the end of June, the US will reopen the dialogue with the North.

South Korean government recently proposed a joint celebration of the 6.15 joint declaration at Panmunjom. The South is still waiting for a response from the North. In the case that the North does not accept this proposal, the South government is planning to go on for the joint celebration by the non-governmental civic organizations.

While the South government admits it is desirable to resume the dialogues between the South and the North government as soon as possible, the South government is approaching these events on a low level such as the joint celebration of the 6.15 declaration. The reason is that the North remains reluctant of stepping forward in a hurry before the release of the US’s new North Korean policies. In addition, the South government expects the North to make an official proposal to resume dialogues since the North unilaterally postponed the 5th ministerial level meeting which was scheduled on March 13.

Kim Young-Sik spear@donga.com