S. Korea to propose inter-Korean military talks to N. Korea

S. Korea to propose inter-Korean military talks to N. Korea. December. 21, 2017 09:21. by Jin-Woo Shin, Na-Ri Shin niceshin@donga.com,journari@donga.com.

The South Korean government is considering to propose inter-Korean military talks to North Korea early next year with the condition that the North does not engage in any nuclear or missile provocation.

According to multiple sources at the government on Wednesday, the South Korean government is currently in the process to develop a “roadmap for denuclearization.” In line with this, the special advisory committee for state affairs said in July that the committee would complete a roadmap for denuclearization by the end of 2017 while introducing the 100 tasks for the Moon Jae-in administration.

In particular, the roadmap includes a strategy that the South can recommend a variety of measures to the North first in order to lead negotiations on issues between two Koreas. Instead of the South making proposals after the North’s pledge on its commitment to denuclearization, the South is determined to make a first step and encourage the North to act. “The prerequisite for all proposals is that the North does not make a provocation anymore,” government sources said.

The roadmap led by the office of national security focuses on five basic principles including peace on the Korea Peninsula, denuclearization and taking a lead on inter-Korean issues. These basic principles are the same with the five principles for realization of peace on the Korea Peninsula, which were announced by President Moon through his address in the National Assembly on November 1.

The government is expected to include a scenario corresponding to responses from neighboring countries, including China and Japan, in the roadmap based on the advice of regional and sectoral advisers and experts. However, the roadmap will only be shared internally among relevant agencies and not open to the public.