( : OLYMPICS & N. KOREA) And to tell us more about the meeting with
the IOC.... as well as the latest on the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics,...
Dr. Bong Young-shik, a researcher at the Yonsei Institute for North Korean Studies,... joins
us in the studio today.
Welcome to the program.
Pleasure to be here.
1- So the meeting between the delegations from the two Koreas and Olympic officials
in Switzerland wrapped up over the weekend.
Tell us more about what came
out
of that meeting.
2- Now, a seven-person delegation from North Korea,
led by the head of the regime's Moranbong Band, Hyon Song-wol, was scheduled to cross
the border into South Korea on Saturday,... but the plan was abruptly cancelled the evening
before.
But then Hyon and the delegation ended up crossing the border on Sunday.
3- The South Korean government has demanded a reason
for the rescheduling of the visit from North Korea but there hasn't been any clear response
to this from the North.
What can we make of this?
4- So Seoul will be dispatching an advance inspection team to North Korea on Tuesday...
for two nights and three days.
What will the inspection team be doing there?
.
5- What significance does the joint cultural event in the Mount Kumgang region hold in
regards to inter-Korea relations?
6- There are also questions over whether the Gyeongui line.... and the overland route on
the East Sea coast or the Donghae line will re-open?
7- What about the military talks that the two Koreas agreed to hold during their first
inter-Korea meeting on January 9th?
What's the latest on that?
8- Eyes are also on what path the two Koreas will take *after the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
For now, South Korea and the U.S. have postponed their joint military
drills until April... but there's a chance of further provocations from the North if
Seoul and Washington resume their drills.
9- According to government sources...
North Korea plans to host a series of military events for the 70th anniversary of the foundation
of the Korean People's Army in Pyongyang.... just one day before the opening of the Pyeongchang
Olympics.
What could be the reason behind this?
10- Critics say that although talks on the Olympics with North Korea have been going
smoothly... we can't let our guard down considering that North Korea has threatened to withdraw
from the Olympics and has strongly criticized President Moon Jae-in for his latest remarks
on unwavering sanctions on North Korea's nuclear development.
What are some existing concerns over the North participating in the Pyeongchang Winter Games?
11- There's still
some controversy and even opposition from within South
Korea
over North Korea
taking part in the Olympics.
How would and should
the South Korean government
go about handling this?
Thank you for your insight today.
Sure thing.