N. Korea Suspends Planned Talks With Seoul
2003-03-24
North Korea on Saturday (March 22) suspended planned economic talks with South Korea this week, citing the South's increased military alert position amidst the Iraq war and a joint military drill with the United States.
Pyongyang's chief delegate to the economic talks Pak Chang-ryon said in a statement that the North was forced to postpone the economic cooperation and maritime meetings due to hostile actions taken by Seoul.
''At a time when one party to the talks points a sword at the other, it is inevitable that we postpone (the talks),'' he said according to the state-run [North] Korean Central News Agency.
''The South is to blame for this,'' Pak added.
The North Korean official accused the South of increasing its military alert position, Defcon, ''under the pretext of the Iraq war,'' expressing ''deep regret'' over the move that it said was aimed at threatening the North.
''The South Korean government's acts are a rude act lacking in faith towards the other partner for dialogue and creates artificial dialogue for bilateral contact and talks,'' he went on to say.
Pak also attacked the South for conducting annual military drills with the U.S., the Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSOI) and Foal Eagle '03.
''Whereas we ... are trying to promote cooperation and exchanges between the North and South, the South ... is trying is driving the situation near a war (with the military exercises),'' he said.
The announcement came a day after North Korea denounced the South for supporting the U.S.-led war in Iraq and planning an upgrade of the Defcon level from a level 3 to level 2, although the latter move did not eventuate.
Pyongyang has also threatened to draw back from inter-Korean dialogue if South Korea proceeds with the special investigation into Hyundai's payments made to North Korea just before the inter-Korean summit in 2000.
''The North's fear for its future amidst the current war in Iraq is reflected in the reaction,'' Prof. Koh Yoo-hwan said. ''Such may have led the North to misinterpret the Chong Wa Dae briefing where an official mistakenly remarked on the possibility (of the upgrade in the Defcon level).''
Unification Ministry officials said they hope to have the chance to explain Seoul's position _ that its military cooperation with the U.S. is not aimed at intimidating the North _ at the 10th inter-Korean ministerial meeting, slated to open April 7 in Pyongyang.
North Korea has made no mention of whether it will abide by earlier agreement with the South to hold the talks, which will be the first major meeting of the two Koreas since President Roh Moo-hyun took office Feb. 25.
Source : www.korea.net
