Good Anticipation For Inter-Korean Relationship

On commenting the President Kim`s urge on the return visit of Chairperson Kim Jong-Il, a high official of the government hinted a soon restart of the inter-Korean dialogues, saying ``the President would not urge it without any anticipation.``

The official added, ``There are some signals from the North for the resumption of the dialogue. But I can`t say anything about those signals.``

His remarks hint that, in advance of the 1st anniversary of the 6.15 Joint Declaration, the government has contacted the North side and has made a considerable progress.

Lee Hae-Chan, the chairperson of the NMDP`s policy planning committee, also said in the party`s Supreme Council meeting, ``the basic frameworks, including the inter-Korean relationship, the North-U.S. relationship, and the Mt. Keumkang Tour, will be completed in the following two weeks. In this circumstance, we need to cleverly approach the problems of the North Korean commercial ships` intrusions in order to resolve the security anxiety of the people as well as to promote the inter Korean reconciliation and cooperation.``

Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Kim Seung-Hoon, who recently visited the North, said yesterday that the visible change of the inter Korean relationship is expected around the time of the 1st anniversary of the 6.15 Joint Declaration. `` When I was in Pyongyang, a North high official clarified the firm compliance of the Joint Declaration `` he stated.

Minister Kim is known to have visited Cheong Wa Dae before his visit to the North. Responding the reporters` question whether he visited Cheong Wa Dae after he returned, he shortly said, ``guess what!``

However, another government official said that, on the U.S.`s announcement of the resumption of the dialogue with the North, ``the suspended inter Korean dialogue is certainly moving toward the resumption. But we cannot make a hasty judge how the North would respond it.``

Yun Seung-Mo ysmo@donga.com