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A photo of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presiding over the May 6-7 Workers’ Party Congress

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s message to South Korea in a Central Committee business summation report at the seventh Korean Workers‘ Party (KWP) congress on May 6-7 was more specific and forward-thinking that experts had predicted. One part in particular stressed the need for dialogue and negotiations between the North and South Korean militaries - a passage that amounts to a public proposal of inter-Korean intergovernmental talks by the North’s leader.

Indeed, Kim went as far as to say that “the current disaster can be overcome to some extent through dialogue and negotiation” and to propose that Seoul “join us in mutual respect as a partner in reunification.” The proposal for intergovernmental talks comes amid a steep slide in inter-Korean relations since the North’s fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6, with the complete shutdown of the Kaesong Industrial Complex - considered by many to be the last “safety valve” between the two sides - and statements from Pyongyang singling President Park Geun-hye by name with abusive language.

The proposal itself came in the context of a message by Kim stressing the need to “relax military tensions.”

“Channels for communications between the North and South Korean militaries are completely closed,” he stated. “An armed conflict could occur at any place or time, and it would be impossible to stop it from escalating into war.”

“We must proceed with practical measures to reduce military tensions and the risk of clashes, broadening their scope as a climate of military trust is formed,” he continued.

Kim also suggested “actively expanding upon dialogue and negotiations at various levels in different areas and reducing mutual misunderstandings and distrust” as a subsequent approach once intergovernmental military talks take place.

In stressing the need for such talks to prevent clashes, Kim noted the current complete suspension of the inter-Korean emergency contact network, including meetings with liaison officers at Panmunjeom and connection through military communication lines. While this can be read in part as consistent with Pyongyang’s traditional emphasis on military issues, it is also notable because of the practical and urgent circumstances cited as a reason for the necessity of dialogue. At the same time, the actual prospects for intergovernmental talks appear dim for the moment, with Kim emphasizing Pyongyang’s continued adherence to its approach of two-track economic and nuclear development and the North experiencing sanctions in the wake of its fourth nuclear test.

Kim also stressed the need for Seoul’s “faithful implementation” of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration, and the October 4 Declaration of 2007 - both products of past inter-Korean summit that he described as cornerstones and blueprints for improvement and development of inter-Korean relations. At one point, Kim described the “three principles of unification of the fatherland, June 15 South-North Joint Declaration, and the October 4 Declaration, which were agreed upon by North and South and declared before the rest of the world” as “the people’s shared framework for consistent efforts to develop North-South relations and solve the problem of reunification of the fatherland.”

The “three principles” in question refer to autonomy, peace, and national solidarity, as stated in the Joint Communique of July 4, 1972. Kim’s statement did not include any new plans for reunification.

Kim went on to address predictions of an imminent collapse in Pyongyang and calls for “unification by absorption” from the South.

“Acknowledgement of and respect for the other side are starting points and prerequisites for North and South to reconcile and trust one another,” he said.

Kim applied the same reasoning to call for an immediate halt to the South‘s loudspeaker broadcasts and leaflet balloon launches.

“We must stop hostile activities that provoke the other side,” he declared.

Kim’s message to South Korea may be seen as taking into consideration not only the current administration of President Park Geun-hye, but also the next administration that takes office after the Dec. 2017 presidential election.

By Kim Jin-cheol and Lee Je-hun, staff reporters

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