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Unification Ministry Spokesperson Baek Tae-hyeon expresses the South Korean government’s “dismay” at North Korea’s abrupt decision to suspend high-level inter-Korean talks on May 16 at the Central Government Complex in Seoul. (Park Jong-shik, staff photographer)
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“Part of the pains” of producing good outcome, Blue House PR secretary says
The Blue House and South Korean administration spent a busy day on May 16 sounding out Pyongyang’s intentions and developing response measures after the North’s early morning unilateral postponement of high-level inter-Korean talks scheduled to take place at Panmunjeom later that morning. The Blue House remained even tighter-lipped about the sensitive situation after a statement from North Korean First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Kye-gwan that afternoon hinting that Pyongyang was “reconsidering” its upcoming summit with the US. The presiding Ministry of Unification issued a spokesperson’s statement that morning voicing dismay and calling for the inter-Korean talks to be held as soon as possible; the same message was later included in an official message sent to the north that afternoon. No official position was forthcoming from the Blue House – only a brief statement in the late afternoon from Blue House Senior Secretary to the President for Public Relations Yoon Young-chan, who said, “We see the current situation as a difficult process of sketching the same picture and part of the pains that go into producing a good outcome.” The statement suggested the turn of events was part of a difficult process of bridging Pyongyang and Washington’s differences on issues related to the Korean Peninsula’s denuclearization and guarantees on the North Korean regime’s security. It echoed the circumspection voiced in a meeting with reporters early that morning by a Blue House senior official, who explained, “There was a situation early this morning, and officials in the Blue House Office of National Security are in close discussions with the relevant Ministries of Unification, Foreign Affairs, and National Defense.” The same official also said the administration was “attempting to determine the exact meaning of the message sent by North Korea.” The Blue House plans to hold a National Security Council meeting on May 17, with ministers from foreign affairs and national security-related ministries attending to discuss countermeasures. Despite the unexpected fly in the ointment, the Blue House does not appear to anticipate the North Korea-US summit fizzling out ahead of its scheduled summit with the US less than a month away on June 12. According to multiple Blue House senior officials, the significant progress made by the North and US in bridging their differences on denuclearization and regime security guarantees in past behind-the-scenes negotiations means both sides stand to lose too much from backing out now – suggesting the latest developments are, if anything, a last-minute flexing of muscle. With Minister of Unification Cho Myung-gyon serving as the South’s senior representative to the high-level inter-Korean talks, the ministry sent a spokesperson’s statement at 10:30 am that day to voice its “dismay” to the North. At the same time, it stressed that Seoul would “continue taking the necessary measures through close discussions among the relevant offices and ministries to proceed with the sustainable development of inter-Korean relations and establishment of permanent peace through implementation of the Panmunjeom Declaration.” The message was seen as indirectly signaling Seoul’s commitment to taking initial steps on issues it is capable of addressing at the administration level – including the Max Thunder military drills, which North Korea has taken issue with, and the “anti-Kim Jong-un” remarks made by former North Korean deputy ambassador to the United Kingdom Thae Yong-ho. At the same time, the administration’s statement voiced “dismay that the unilateral postponement of the meeting for reasons of regular South Korea-US joint aerial exercises soon after the North notified us of the date of the high-level talks is not in accord with the basic spirit and aims of the Panmunjeom Declaration agreed upon by the two leaders on Apr. 27.” “The administration is firmly committed to faithfully executing the terms of the Panmunjeom Declaration, and we urge the North to quickly agree to talks for the peace and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula,” it stressed. Meanwhile, South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha exchanged opinions on North Korea’s postponement notification and other issues with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a telephone conversation at Pompeo’s request that morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. According to the ministry, Pompeo told Kang during the conversation that the US would “continue preparing for the North Korea-US summit while remaining heedful of North Korea’s current measures.” By Lee Je-hun, senior staff writer, and Kim Bo-hyeop and Kim Ji-eun, staff reporters Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]
