RARE DPRK APOLOGY MAY SIGNAL START OF NORTH-SOUTH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 001617 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2019 TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL SOCI KN KS SUBJECT: RARE DPRK APOLOGY MAY SIGNAL START OF NORTH-SOUTH THAW Classified By: POL M/C James L. Wayman. Reasons 1.4(b/d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) During October 14 inter-Korean talks on flood prevention, the DPRK expressed regret for the deaths of six South Koreans caused by the unannounced release on September 6 of a huge amount of water from a dam just north of the DMZ. The Blue House moved quickly to characterize the North's condolence message as an official apology. Like the Blue House spokesman, our Ministry of Unification interlocutors underscored that the DPRK's rare expression of regret was an indication the North wants to improve relations with the South. The ROKG will likely "reward" the DPRK with a modest amount of food aid during Red Cross talks on October 16. Comment: Pyongyang's expression of regret is an unusual development that underscores the seriousness of the DPRK's effort to improve relations with the South -- and presumably to attempt to break up unity among the other members of the Six-Party Talks. Ironically, however, it may also be perceived by the Blue House as confirmation that its hard-nosed approach to Pyongyang is working. End Comment and Summary. DPRK Expresses "Regret," ROK Accepts Apology -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Working-level delegations from both Koreas met October 14 in the Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC) to discuss avoiding a repeat of the September 6 incident in which the North's unannounced release of water from a dam just north of the DMZ caused the deaths of six ROK citizens who were camping along the Imjin River. During a 100-minute morning session, the North Korean delegation expressed "regret" and conveyed its "deep condolences" to the families of the deceased, which the ROKG quickly characterized as an official apology. ¶3. (SBU) Following a brief afternoon session, Blue House spokesperson Park Sun-kyu said North Korea's condolences to the victims' families would be interpreted officially as reflecting Pyongyang's "will to improve relations with South Korea." The North also pledged to notify the South via fax if it again had to release water from the dam in an emergency. Improved Inter-Korean Relations on the Horizon? -------------- -- ¶4. (SBU) Echoing a point made by major media outlets here, contacts at the Ministry of Unification (MOU) underscored to us that the DPRK has only expressed "regret" seven times in the past 60 years. This move, therefore, may signal a significant change of attitude for the DPRK in its dealings with Seoul, according to our MOU contacts. They also called our attention to an authoritative Rodong Shinmun story published October 14 which predicted improved inter-Korean relations and specifically called for full N-S cooperation on economic, humanitarian and cultural issues. Our MOU interlocutors added that the ROKG would likely "reward" the DPRK with a modest amount of food aid -- 10,000 tons corn, not rice -- during Red Cross talks on October 16. STEPHENS