North Korea made a proposition to the South to hold a preparatory meeting for the second Inter-Korea Summit Talks at Kaesong on the 14th.

A spokesperson of the Minister of Unification Kim Nam Shik said on the 13th, “At 9.30AM this morning, North Korea contacted the South via a direct communication line installed at Panmunjom to propose that a preparatory meeting will be held tomorrow” and revealed, “The South is planning to accept the North’s proposal.”

When the announcement was first made to hold the Summit Talks, the South Korean government contacted the North on the following day, the 9th, proposing that preparatory meeting be held on the 13th. However, the North didn’t respond for 4 days only to report on the 12th, “Tomorrow, we will inform you of the date for the preparatory meeting.”

With 20 days left until the Summit Talks, it seemed that working group meeting was speedily in process beginning with preparatory meeting. Nonetheless, North Korea’s unexplained procrastination and silence leaves the government no option but to suspect North Korea’s initiatives.

Some argue that North Korea may places its focus on criticisms and strongly urge for the suspension of the combined military training forces between Korea and the U.S. The South Korean government has already revealed that this would be denied.

Further, the most critical agenda during the preparatory meeting will be to establish topics of discussion as well as confirm the visit and transportation routes for South Korean delegates to travel to the North. Consequently, some argue that the current preparations are inadequate.

There is also a possibility that the preparatory meeting was postponed due to damages incurred along the Kaesong-Pyongyang highway resulting from torrential rain at the end of last week. Some speculate that damages to the roads were so severe, prohibiting President Roh Moo Hyun from making a visit to North Korea via road.

At the end of the day, it seems that 3 delegates including the vice-Minister of Unification Lee Kwan Seh will take part in the preparatory meeting that will take place on the 14th, while Choi Seung Chul, the vice-chief of United Front Department in North Korea and another 2 delegates will participate from the North.

Furthermore, it seems that the North plans to simultaneously discuss the preparatory meeting in addition to reporting, publicizing, practicing and patrolling the working groups.