North Korea

The fifth South-North minister meeting began smoothly with the North showing a new change in attitude.

In past meetings, the Northern delegates inevitably complied with the South`s basic proposals. Participants in the present meeting report that the North displayed a `serious` attitude and made their basic statement at greater length than the South.

At the first session of the meeting, the South and North went directly into discussions about how to address disagreements that remain unresolved from the first four meetings. For the time being, participants explain that if the two sides` differ in view due to their own circumstances, they must discuss ways in which they will execute the agreements and the timing of execution.

The discussions hit an obstacle when the Northern side raised again the issue of energy support for North Korea and the additional problem of Chang Ki-Soo`s repatriation – issues that were particular problem points during the fourth meeting. However, the participants are responding positively to the fact that the North did not include the sensitive issue of reunification measures or withdrawal of American troops in their basic proposal.

It appears that the North could not avoid requesting South`s energy support as the winter approaches. A participant, however, reports that the North is not taking the kind of tough stance they formerly took, insisting that the talks cannot continue if the energy support issue is not resolved.

Others are saying that the talks may run into difficulty at the end if the Northern side takes a strong stance on the energy support issue during the meetings between the heads of the delegates.

``After comparing the basic proposals on both sides, there are about five proposals that the South and the North mutually share. The meetings are proceeding in a completely practical manner. At the rate that things moving now, the two sides may settle their opinions by tomorrow.``

Kim Young-Sik spear@donga.com