[USFK Forums] Seoul Proposes Resuming S-N Cabinet Talks [Korea Times]

[C. Y. Lee]

Uploaded by C. Y. Lee on Thursday, March 30, 2006

Seoul Proposes Resuming S-N Cabinet Talks

The Korea Times, Thursday, March 30, 2006By Lee Jin-woo, Staff Reporter

The government has asked North Korea to resume the delayed inter-Korean ministerial talks around April 20, the Ministry of Unification said Thursday.

In a press briefing, Shin Un-sang, vice unification minister, said, ``The government conveyed a message, which contained our wish to hold the delayed talks, to the North last week.’’

Shin added the ministry has not received any official response from its North Korean counterpart yet.

The proposed talks were initially scheduled to be held in Pyongyang for four days from March 28, but the North unilaterally postponed the meeting, criticizing the start of South Korea-U.S. military exercises on the Korean Peninsula.

The North has claimed that the joint military exercises are aimed at provoking a war on the peninsula.

Shin, however, revealed his optimistic view over the inter-Korean reconciliatory efforts.

``There were a lot of exchanges between the two Koreas during the first quarter,’’ Shin told reporters, adding he is confident that more positive outcomes will be made in the first half of this year.

As for discussions with North Korea on fielding a single unified team at international sports events, including the Olympic Games, the vice minister said the government is making efforts to form a single team, although it will take time to achieve the challenging goal.

``It's not compulsory to form a unified team. We’re not sure if it could be possible from the next summer Olympic Games, but we are trying hard to save time.’’

North and South Korean teams have often marched together at the opening ceremonies of international events following rapprochement in their relations in recent years, but they have not reached an agreement to form a unified team.


things@koreatimes.co.kr

03-30-2006 18:28