The second high-level dialogue between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) will be held at the end of this month, focusing on the common concerns between the two sides. Both sides are positive about the dialogue. Jung Hong-won, Prime Minister of ROK, hopes that the Asian Games in Inchon will promote exchanges and cooperation between DPRK and ROK, and both sides will find breakthroughs in the development of their bilateral relations.

The dialogue will contribute to the vision of improved ties for both sides.

According to the analysis of Han Xiandong, a scholar from the China University of Political Science and Law: “DPRK has been seeking a breakthrough in the development of bilateral ties, triggered by the international environment in Northeast Asia; the US is pursuing the policy of rebalancing the powers in the Asia-Pacific region; Japan’s policies are leaning to the right; the US has deployed a missile defense system in ROK. All this is leading to new diplomatic approaches in DPRK.”

The government of ROK also aspires to break the deadlock of DPRK-ROK ties. Park Geun-hye, President of ROK, said that much more work has to be done to prevent the dialogue from becoming a one-off event.

Actually, both sides have long been hoping to hold talks but the right occasion has not presented itself. The Asia Games in Inchon offer a chance for them to start the dialogue.

The division between both sides should never be neglected. The two sides have been unable to reach a consensus on many issues such as joint military exercises, nuclear arms, and human rights, and it is not easy for either side to budge on these issues. Therefore, one single dialogue will not in itself lead to a significant warming in their relations.

“DPRK-ROK ties is the core issue in the Northeast region, so a warming in ties can ease the tensions there. Whether ties can be improved depends on whether these high-level talks go smoothly, ” noted Han Xiandong

This article was edited and translated from 《朝韩关系有回暖之势》, source: People’s Daily Overseas Edition, Author: Zhang Jing