Negotiation with North Korea is emerging concept, analysts say

SEOUL, April 8 (UPI) -- More North Korea experts in South Korea are saying Seoul should be prepared if the United States and North Korea agree to peace talks.

Kim Jae-chun, a professor of political science at South Korea's Sogang University, said the word "negotiation" hasn't entered the South Korean vocabulary, but "in the United States the concept is in circulation," Yonhap reported.

Kim said the South shouldn't fall for "North Korea's peace regime framework," but if the idea of negotiation becomes the new norm, South Korea would be facing a situation where it would be difficult to insist on denuclearization, first, before considering negotiations.

"It is necessary for South Korea to establish a peace framework," Kim said.

Pyongyang had issued a statement earlier in the week through its National Defense Commission, calling for an end to hostilities and for negotiations with the United States.

"Maintaining stability is more urgent than unilateral sanctions, and providing negotiations can find a better solution than reckless military pressure," North Korea had said in the statement.

Channels of negotiation among China, the United States and South Korea need to be established ahead of possible new developments, Kim said.

Chung Jae-ho, a professor of political science at Seoul National University, also said Seoul should be ready in case the United States and North Korea decide to pursue dialogue that could put denuclearization at the center of discussion.

Not all analysts agree with the view.

Moon Sung-muk of the Korea Institute for National Unification said the United States places priority on denuclearization over any talks of a peace treaty.

"For South Korea, all means available to change the Kim Jong Un regime should be deployed," including pressure on North Korean human rights abuses and economic sanctions, Moon said.