Chances of Korean peace must be taken
Despite the inevitable doubts raised by the talks offer to Seoul from the North Korean leader, it gives cause for hope to end a conflict that is six decades old
The focus of discussions, should they take place as proposed on Tuesday at the border truce village of Panmunjom, would be next month’s Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang in the South.
Decades of animosity and chances for peace that went nowhere raise inevitable doubts, but the danger of escalating tensions means that no opportunity to broach the threat of the North’s nuclear and missile programmes can be ignored.
Moon had already offered a suspension of military exercises between his country and the United States if the North sent a team to the Games.
Just two of its athletes have qualified, but there is more at stake than a show of goodwill. Kim’s speech on Monday gave a glimpse, going far beyond acceptance by expressing an interest in talks and promising to seek a “peaceful resolution” by working with the South to lower tensions.