Relations between North and South Korea relations continued to improve over the weekend. Having yielded agreement on the future of the Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC), personnel began to enter Kaesong on the 17th to examine the state of facilities, and management from the two sides is set to discuss the logistics of restarting production during this week.
North Korea also accepted South Korea’s proposal for talks on the subject of separated family reunions, and these are to be held on August 23rd. North Korea has yet to make any critical remarks about the U.S.-ROK Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) joint military drills that begin today. In general, North Korea limits its criticism of the military exercises at those times when relations are in a warming phase.
However, there are reasons to remain cautious. In accepting South Korea’s suggestion of talks on separated families, North Korea also counter-proposed that the two sides discuss resuming tours to the Mt. Geumgang tourist resort at the same time. Also, pro-North Korean affiliates in South Korea have been raising their voices to call for the UFG military exercises to be ramped down as a gesture of goodwill to Pyongyang, which is potentially divisive.
