Posted on 07/25/2002 2:00:52 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
N.Korea Voices Regret over Sea Clash -S.Korea
July 25, 2002 03:56 AM
SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea sent a letter to South Korea on Thursday expressing regret over a naval clash last month which killed five southern sailors, thus reversing a combative stance over an incident that soured ties, a Seoul official said.
The telegram by North Korean cabinet official Kim Ryong-sung to South Korean Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun also proposed working-level talks early next month, a unification ministry spokesman told Reuters.
The proposed meeting would discuss higher-level meetings and a resumption of stalled reconciliation projects, including the restoration of railroad links between the two Koreas.
Pyongyang had previously blamed Seoul and Washington for the clash on June 29, when North Korean navy ships fired on and sank a South Korean frigate, killing four southern sailors, wounding 19 and leaving one missing and presumed dead.
That is why this apology is so hush-hush. Rather half-hearted attempt, I should say. I think that the kicker is S. Korean decision to convert 4 million tons of suplus rice into cattle feed instead of shipping them to North as food aid. The surplus is unfit for human consumption after 2 years. The deadline is approaching soon. It was first earmarked for food aid. N. Korea had 1.5 million ton shortage of grain this year.
They have to punish those responsible, at least military folks for this provocation.
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