Inter-Korean Ministerial Talks Fail

The 19th inter-Korean ministerial talks that were held amidst the North Korean missile test-launch situation ended without any results, except for having seen a clear difference in opinion.

Thus, it seems inter-Korean relations will turn sour for the time being. This comes at the heels of the international community’s move for sanctions against North Korea, so it does not seem likely that North Korea will return to the six-party talks in the immediate future.

The ministerial talks were unable to produce a joint public statement, which summarizes the conclusions of the meeting, nor set a date for the next meeting. This is the second time the ministerial meeting ended without a joint statement. The first time was in November 2001, at the sixth meeting held right after the September 11 terrorist attacks. This meeting is also the first time that it ended in three days, without finishing the planned the 4-day, 3-night schedule.

Lee Gwan-se, the South Korean spokesperson in the inter-Korean ministerial meeting, stated at The Westin Chosun Busan in Haeundae, “North Korea stated its position that it is impossible to continue discussions when humanitarian assistance cannot be made. South Korea also decided that, as we have already conveyed our position on the missile test and urged North Korea to return to the six-party talks numerous times, rather than continuously repeat ourselves, we agreed it would best to end the meetings earlier than scheduled.”

Lee added, “We have explained to the North in great detail on our and the international community’s concern regarding the missile test, and the necessity for North Korea to return to the six-party talks as soon as possible. We believe that our position has been conveyed to North Korea’s leadership.”

The North Korean delegation stated on the press statement right after the meeting, “It was inevitable that we close the meeting earlier than the planned date, and South Korea is solely and fully responsible for the failure of the meeting. South Korea will pay the consequences for creating this uncertainty in the future inter-Korean relations.

The North Korean delegation left from Gimhae Airport around 4:40 p.m. on a direct Air Koryo flight across the East Sea to Pyongyang.

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