S. Korea ready to talk with NK`s new leader: foreign minister

Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Kim Sung-hwan said Thursday that the government will actively seek dialogue with the new leadership of North Korea. In a news briefing, Kim also expressed willingness to discuss its demand for Pyongyang`s apologies for the attacks on a South Korean naval ship and the frontline island of Yeonpyeong in 2010 once inter-Korean talks are held. South Korea has long demanded that the North apologize as a precondition for bilateral talks. In addition, the government suggested the possibility of a summit with the North`s new leader Kim Jong Un.

On if the government recognizes Kim Jong Un as a partner for inter-Korean negotiations, Kim Sung-hwan said, "If he takes an appropriate title as we hold talks with North Korea, the talks will be held with him." This comment is seen as indicating that the government is willing to recognize Kim Jong Un as a partner for talks, including an inter-Korean summit, once his title of supreme leader of North Korea is confirmed.

"At this moment, it`s unclear if the supreme commander and chairman of the Central Military Commission of the (North Korean Workers`) party, which are the official positions held by Kim Jong Un, is engaged in other areas, excluding the military. We need to wait and see," Kim Sung-hwan said, taking a cautious approach. On if the South will invite Kim Jong Un to an international nuclear summit slated for March in Seoul, Kim said his government will do so "on the condition that the North implements its promises with the international community on its nuclear issue."

Commenting on fears that South Korea`s role will be diminished in international talks on North Korean nuclear program, Kim Sung-hwan said, "It`s unnecessary to conclude that North Korea-U.S. dialogue will be held but there will be no inter-Korean dialogue. Let`s wait and see because we`re making our own share of efforts."

South Korean Unification Minister Yu Woo-ik also held a news conference Thursday, saying the North`s apologies for the 2010 attacks are "not the precondition for the resumption of dialogue but key agenda items to be put on the negotiating table." "While there is no change in Seoul`s position that Pyongyang should apologize, the method of apology and the measures that we will take in response to the apologies can be negotiated."

Before the news conferences, the foreign and unification ministries said in a New Year`s briefing to President Lee Myung-bak that they will put priority on managing the situation on the Korean Peninsula in a stable manner. The Foreign Ministry said it will continue to develop the alliance with the U.S. and strengthen strategic cooperation with neighboring countries including China, Japan and Russia to keep the situation on the peninsula stable. The Unification Ministry also put top policy priority on "maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula." Its main goal last year was "inducing desirable changes in North Korea."

President Lee said after the briefing, "I will maintain consistent basic principles (in Seoul`s policy toward Pyongyang) and am ready to flexibly cooperate. Good change will come in inter-Korean relations if we maintain a warm heart and principles. South Korea neither seeks to achieve reunification through absorption nor seeks to make the North collapse, and will never attempt to do so."

Kurt Campbell, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, met with Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan and told reporters in Seoul Thursday, "We believe an essential component in an improving relationship with North Korea and the international community has to be an improvement in North-South relations." Campbell, who visited Beijing before coming to Seoul, added, "We urged China to make clear the importance of restraint by the new North Korean leadership."

lightee@donga.com