The festivities around North Korea's most important holiday does seem to raise some
eyebrows as tense uncertainty remains on the Korean peninsula.
Dr. Lee Tae-hwan , Senior Researcher at the Sejong Institute in Seoul joins us now to
answer some questions.
Dr. Lee, welcome to the program.
Good to be here.
When compared with past anniversary events, what significance do you see from this year's
celebration of Kim Il-sung's birthday?
What stood out this year?
The celebrations in North Korea
came shortly after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's visits to South Korea where he
offered direct talks with the rogue state.
The North seems to want direct talks
with the U.S. and not Seoul.
Should we fight for a place at the table or let Washington take the lead?
North Korea rejected Seoul's porposal for talks as a cunning ploy and yet left open
the possibility of dialogue in the future saying it depends largely on what
Seoul
will do.
What is it that Pyongyang wants?
and what do you think will be North Korea's next move?
President Park Geun-hye wants inter-Korean talks aimed at normalizing the joint industrial
complex at Gaeseong.
But
the Gaeseong remains shut.
We've put
the ball in their court.
What will it take for the complex to reopen?