After 44 hours of extensive talks punctuated by catnaps and meal breaks, North and South Korea have been able to prevent an escalation on the Korean peninsula, considered one of the most sensitive hotspots for a military conflict. Talks in the demilitarised zone between top officials from both sides culminated in an agreement that can be called a first step in breaking frosty ties between arch enemies.
North and South Korea have been technically at war since the 1950-53 war ended in truce without a peace deal being signed. Flare ups often worsened by inflammatory speech are common between the two sides. While South Korea is a responsible democracy with an elected government and a sound economy, the North is ruled by the whims of its hereditary leader Kim Jong-un who has recently been purging top officials of his administration by executing them. There were reports of Defence Minister Hyon Yong-Chol being recently executed by anti-aircraft gunfire after having fallen foul of Kim.
Amid increasing tensions over the last two weeks, the heavily militarised border between the North and South along the 38th parallel saw artillery fire and loudspeakers spouting anti-Pyongyang propaganda. The recent escalation that led to the marathon meeting began with Seoul blaming Pyongyang for landmines that maimed two of its soldiers on patrol. A riled South Korea restarted the loudspeakers on the border that have been silent for years. The speakers resumed blaring anti-North Korea propaganda, further ratcheting up tensions between the estranged neighbours.
In Tuesday’s agreement that made international headlines, North Korea expressed regret for the landmines that injured the South’s troops. So long, Kim’s regime has denied having to do anything with the incident. Seoul reciprocated by switching off the loudspeakers.
Though the meeting of top officials that brought about the reconciliation wasn’t a summit, it was closely watched by the leaders of the two countries — Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Park Geun-hye. If reports of the meeting videographed live for the leaders is true, it bodes well for bilateral ties. The officials reportedly took instructions intermittently from their leaders. The agreement has defused hostilities between the enemies, and like previous occasions, the thaw might just last for a few days. In fact, the North Korean official who led the talks sounded anything but regretful on television after the agreement.
Going by the history of North-South relations, the accord may be seen as too little and the neighbours are likely to go back to their previous positions soon. However, Seoul and Pyongyang must not forget that big diplomatic victories are built on small moves. If saner elements prevail on both sides, the day is not far when Park and Kim might be seated across the table. The nations must work for this goal•
After 44 hours of extensive talks punctuated by catnaps and meal breaks, North and South Korea have been able to prevent an escalation on the Korean peninsula, considered one of the most sensitive hotspots for a military conflict. Talks in the demilitarised zone between top officials from both sides culminated in an agreement that can be called a first step in breaking frosty ties between arch enemies.
North and South Korea have been technically at war since the 1950-53 war ended in truce without a peace deal being signed. Flare ups often worsened by inflammatory speech are common between the two sides. While South Korea is a responsible democracy with an elected government and a sound economy, the North is ruled by the whims of its hereditary leader Kim Jong-un who has recently been purging top officials of his administration by executing them. There were reports of Defence Minister Hyon Yong-Chol being recently executed by anti-aircraft gunfire after having fallen foul of Kim.
Amid increasing tensions over the last two weeks, the heavily militarised border between the North and South along the 38th parallel saw artillery fire and loudspeakers spouting anti-Pyongyang propaganda. The recent escalation that led to the marathon meeting began with Seoul blaming Pyongyang for landmines that maimed two of its soldiers on patrol. A riled South Korea restarted the loudspeakers on the border that have been silent for years. The speakers resumed blaring anti-North Korea propaganda, further ratcheting up tensions between the estranged neighbours.
In Tuesday’s agreement that made international headlines, North Korea expressed regret for the landmines that injured the South’s troops. So long, Kim’s regime has denied having to do anything with the incident. Seoul reciprocated by switching off the loudspeakers.
Though the meeting of top officials that brought about the reconciliation wasn’t a summit, it was closely watched by the leaders of the two countries — Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Park Geun-hye. If reports of the meeting videographed live for the leaders is true, it bodes well for bilateral ties. The officials reportedly took instructions intermittently from their leaders. The agreement has defused hostilities between the enemies, and like previous occasions, the thaw might just last for a few days. In fact, the North Korean official who led the talks sounded anything but regretful on television after the agreement.
Going by the history of North-South relations, the accord may be seen as too little and the neighbours are likely to go back to their previous positions soon. However, Seoul and Pyongyang must not forget that big diplomatic victories are built on small moves. If saner elements prevail on both sides, the day is not far when Park and Kim might be seated across the table. The nations must work for this goal•
