North Korea’s National Defense Commission sent a somewhat surprising letter to South Korean authorities, suggesting the two countries set aside hostilities and enter an era of friendship.
The friendly outreach didn’t come without a caveat, however.
CNN reported that that in order to be friends, South Korea had to put a stop to an upcoming military drill with the United States. South Korean leaders also had to publicly underscore Pyongyang’s right of a “precious nuclear force for self-defense,” CNN said.
That aside, North Korea wants friendship, the letter says.
It read in part: Let’s “create an atmosphere of reconciliation and unity … and completely halt hostile military acts, realize the reunion of separated families and relatives … and re-energize multifaceted north-south cooperation and exchanges,” CNN reported.
South Korea, for its part, regarded the entreaty with skeptical eyes, saying its leaders would rather wait for action from the North before committing to any deals.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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