Abstract
Since the inauguration of the Kim Dae-jung government South Korea has pursued sunshine Policy resulting in a historic summit meeting, at which the two leaders agreed to work together. This has contributed to the expansion of inter-Korean trade and contacts including the reunion of separated families, ministerial-level meetings, defense minister's meeting, various working-level meetings, etc.
Despite increased contacts military tension has net been reduced substantially. Though President Kim stated that the animosity between North and South is ended, North Korea has increased its forces along the DMZ and strengthened military exercises. Moreover, since the Bush inauguration Pyongyang has stopped inter-Korean dialogue. The deadlock is not over the Bush hard-line policy towards the North, but due to lack of confidence between the two Koreas.
To build confidence, Pyongyang must be more sincere in inter-Korean military talks. Measures could include: hot-line, institutionalization of military dialogues, personnel exchanges, North Korea's compliance to the Armistice Agreement, peaceful utilization of the DMZ, and notification of military exercises and exchange of observers.
The post-summit optimism has been replaced by a more realistic assessment, and it is too early to expect genuine reconciliation. To build a lasting peace regime on the peninsula, Pyongyang must adopt a more pragmatic policy line instead of consolidating its totalitarian political system, and come to a negotiation table with earnest mind.