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This isn't the first time the hermit kingdom pulled the rug from under us last minute.
But instead of letting our emotions get the better of us, it would be more constructive
to plan the next step.
Cha Sang-mi turns the spotlight to factors that may have led to the decision, and how
the South Korean government should deal with Pyongyang on inter-Korean matters.
Pyongyang claims its sudden cancellation of the joint cultural event scheduled for February
4th is a response to South Korean media reports that were critical of North Korea's behavior,
and is a reflection of the North's disappointment.
This is not the first time North Korea has called off an event before the PyeongChang
Olympics, as the regime pulled the plug last minute on a trip by their delegation last
week to inspect performance venues in South Korea for their art troupe.
However, that trip eventually went ahead the following day.
Some experts say the regime wants to create a fissure between Seoul and Washington as
the two allies are both pushing for Pyongyang's denuclearization.
"The North Korean leadership seems to be trying to shake up the Moon Jae-in government to
see.. first to register its discontent and second to see if this gambit may create a
divide between South Korea and the United States.
Yet others say it's an operational issue, not a diplomatic gesture.
"The Mount Kumgang Cultural Performance Center has been shut for the last decade and the
facilities are very outdated.
Pyongyang is worried about the operational issues involved in hosting an event for a
300-strong South Korean delegation."
Tours to Mount Kumgang have been banned since 2008 after a South Korean tourist was shot
by a North Korean soldier.
Experts say that the South Korean government should no longer make any additional concessions
or accommodations to North Korea's flip-flopping behavior since such moves will only create
more incentives for North Korea to try to manipulate the South Korean government.
And some said there is a need for a stronger push.
"North Korea is trying to manipulate us.
And the South Korean government needs to take a stronger stance on the matter since the
North's participation in the PyeongChang Olympics is actually just a minimal part."
According to experts, North Korea may make more such changes to the agreements made with
South Korea, but Seoul should not detach itself from the ultimate purpose - the denuclearization
of the regime.
Cha Sang-mi, Arirang News.