By Reuben Staines
Staff Reporter


A squad of top South Korean officials sought Friday to douse concerns that the re-election of U.S. President George W. Bush could exacerbate the North Korean nuclear crisis, predicting that Washington will persist with diplomacy and noting signs of flexibility from Pyongyang.

``I believe that North Korea is showing signs of changing after the U.S. election,’’ Unification Minister Chung Dong-young was quoted as saying by Uri Party spokesman Im Jong-seok during a meeting of ruling party officials and security-related ministers at the Prime Minister’s Office.

``The government will prepare for an early restoration of the somewhat strained inter-Korean relations now, as outside factors affecting the situation on the Korean peninsula have been settled,’’ he said.

North Korea shunned inter-Korean exchanges and six-nation talks on the nuclear crisis in the months leading up to the U.S. poll, launching a barrage of criticism at Bush.

But Chung said the North recently indicated a willingness to allow South Korean businessmen to visit Pyongyang _ something it has refused since July _ and suggested holding a working-level meeting with civic group members on Nov. 20 to prepare for next year’s anniversary celebrations for the June 15, 2000 inter-Korean summit.

Diplomats hoped this increasing flexibility following the election will also mark a change in Pyongyang’s attitude towards the stalled nuclear talks.

``North Korea might take its foot off the brake as the traffic signal has now changed,’’ a Seoul diplomat involved in the six-party negotiations told The Korea Times on condition of anonymity.

Lee Soo-hyuck, Seoul’s chief delegate to the talks, said last week that informal or preparatory six-party consultations could be held soon.

Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon also expressed optimism about the nuclear talks, dismissing suggestions that the Bush administration will take a harder line with North Korea in its second term if Pyongyang continues to refuse to scrap its nuclear weapons programs.

``President Bush has maintained the goal of a peaceful settlement of the North Korean nuclear issue over the past four years and I don’t see any major changes to that,’’ Ban said.

``The U.S. will continue trying to solve the nuclear standoff in a peaceful and diplomatic way,’’ he told the meeting of key officials.

Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan also promised stable oversight of the nuclear negotiations and inter-Korean relations.

Joining the discussion, ruling Uri Party chairman Lee Bu-young called on the government to seek immediate consultations with Bush’s second-term Cabinet when it is formed.

``It will not take long for President Bush to reshuffle his cabinet and reassess his policies,’’ he said. ``The South Korean government should swiftly deal with a number of issues.’’

rjs@koreatimes.co.kr