North Korea refusing more military talks with South Korea

Pyongyang put forth its tough stance a day after acrimony abruptly ended the Koreas’ first official talks since the North attacked a South Korean front—line island with artillery in November and killed four people.

February 10, 2011 12:02 pm | Updated November 28, 2021 09:25 pm IST - SEOUL, South Korea

South Korean protesters shout slogans during a rally against South Korean government's policies on North Korea in front of the Defence Ministry in Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday. Photo: AP.

South Korean protesters shout slogans during a rally against South Korean government's policies on North Korea in front of the Defence Ministry in Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday. Photo: AP.

North Korea refused on Thursday to hold any more military talks with South Korea, saying Seoul lacks serious intent to improve relations marked by months of high tensions.

Pyongyang put forth its tough stance a day after acrimony abruptly ended the Koreas’ first official talks since the North attacked a South Korean front—line island with artillery in November and killed four people.

This week’s talks at the heavily guarded Demilitarized Zone had raised hopes of improved inter—Korean ties after the island attack and the March 2010 sinking of a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors.

The two events had raised fears of all—out war between the Koreas, still technically in a state of war since a truce, not a peace treaty, ended the three—year Korean War in 1953.

South Korea was sticking to “unreasonable” demands

The military meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday were aimed at laying the groundwork for higher—level defence talks, but North Korea’s military said on Thursday that South Korea was sticking to “unreasonable” demands that Pyongyang must first take “sincere, responsible measures” in response to the island attack and the ship sinking.

“They thus revealed their sinister intention to use the North—South high—level military talks as another theatre of inter—Korean confrontation,” said the North Korean military statement, carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

“The army and people of (North Korea) do not feel any need to deal with the group of traitors any longer now that they do not wish to see the North—South relations improved but totally reject the dialogue itself,” it said.

North Korea denies it caused the ship sinking and says its artillery firing was provoked by the South Korean military, which was conducting a live—fire drill nearby.

The North’s statement is largely seen as a bluff, but Pyongyang may commit some provocative acts like missile tests and artillery drills to pressure South Korea, one analyst said.

Differences over what to discuss

South Korea said the North walked out of this week’s military talks shortly after the Wednesday afternoon session began and that the two countries differed over what to discuss at higher—level defence talks.

South Korea demanded the high—level talks focus on the two attacks, while the North insisted other broader military issues also be included, a South Korean statement said late on Wednesday.

“We cannot just put aside (the two attacks) because of our people’s pains over them,” Col. Moon Sang—kyun, the chief South Korean delegate, told South Korean reporters on Thursday, according to the Defence Ministry.

The North Korean statement was a bluff to keep up pressure on the South to accept its demand for procedural measures for high—level defence talks, said Jeung Young—tae, an analyst with the government—funded Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul.

Mr. Jeung said the North will eventually return to talks before long but may try to demonstrate its military strength until then through short—range missile tests or artillery firing drills near the disputed western sea border - scene of both last year’s two attacks.

A “missed opportunity”, says U.S.

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said it was a “missed opportunity” for North Korea to demonstrate its sincerity to engage in dialogue and reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula.

He told a news conference the North needed to take “meaningful steps” to improve inter—Korean relations - including taking responsibility for the island shelling and warship sinking.

Improving relations between the Koreas and hopefully, in turn, bringing North Korea back into the fold of the international community is important because of concerns about the North’s expanded nuclear capability. South Korea says the North’s newly disclosed uranium enrichment programme violates disarmament pacts and U.N. resolutions.

On Thursday, South Korea’s chief nuclear envoy Wi Sung—lac traveled to China - the North’s main ally - for a two—day visit aimed at discussing Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programme, according to Seoul’s Foreign Ministry.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.