Trump willing to talk with Kim Jong-un

By Yi Whan-woo

North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK) Chairman Ri Sun-gwon will spearhead its five-member delegation for high-level talks with Seoul, Tuesday, the Ministry of Unification said Sunday, citing a message received from Pyongyang.

North Korea's message came in response to the South naming of Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon to lead its respective five-member delegation, Saturday, that will also include two vice ministers, for the first dialogue to be held in more than two years.

Ri has been considered the most suitable counterpart for Cho, after the CPRK, formerly an offshoot of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party, was elevated to a state-level body in 2016.

North Korea's choice of Ri as the chief representative shows its respect toward the South and willingness to actively engage in the cross-border dialogue, according to diplomatic sources.

Citing protocol reasons, Seoul had in the past opposed a CRPK chief being a unification minister's counterpart although their organizations both handle inter-Korean affairs.

"North Korea notified us that Ri will lead its delegation," the ministry said.

It added the two countries will continue to discuss the schedule and other details related to the high-level talks, which are also aimed at North Korea's participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, through communication channels at Panmunjeom,.

The four other North Korean delegates are two senior CRPK officials and two senior sports officials.

Cho will be accompanied by Unification Vice Minister Chun Hae-sung and Roh Tae-kang, the second vice minister at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with two other senior officials.

It is rare for Seoul to include a minister and two vice ministers on the same delegation for cross-border dialogue.

North Korea calls for inter-Korea cooperation ahead of talks 2018-01-07 16:48  |  North Korea Koreas to hold high-level talks Tuesday 2018-01-05 15:56  |  North Korea
"The ranks of the South Korean representatives suggest how seriously the government is dealing with the talks," a source said. "The talks may be so important that their outcome may influence the direction of inter-Korean relations in the future."

Meanwhile, the United States and China have thrown their support behind the inter-Korean reconciliatory efforts.

On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump called the preparation for the high-level talks a "big start," after remaining skeptical over North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's intention to send a delegation to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

"Right now they're talking Olympics. It's a start, it's a big start," he told reporters during a question-and-answer session at Camp David.

Trump, after lambasting Kim and stressing sanctions and pressure on his regime, also said he was open to talking with the young dictator.

"Sure, I always believe in talking," Trump said, although he added any talks would come with conditions. "Absolutely I would do that, I wouldn't have a problem with that at all."

On Jan. 5, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said his government "welcomed and supported" the decision to hold high-level talks.

He said it was "undoubtedly a good thing" when asked about the decision between Presidents Moon Jae-in and Trump to hold off the spring military exercises between South Korea and the U.S. until after the Olympics.

China has been insisting on suspending the allies' joint drill in return for North Korea's suspension of nuclear provocations.

The high-level talks will take place a day before Moon's scheduled New Year press conference.

The outcome of the dialogue is expected to shape his inter-Korean policies during the second year of his presidency.

Moon has been favoring dialogue with North Korea. However, he said Jan. 5 that Seoul will "not remain vulnerable and only go for dialogue" as sought by the two former liberal presidents -- Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun.

His comment was seen as a message to avoid misunderstanding that South Korea may depart from the U.S.-led international sanctions on North Korea.