Defection Called Passing Storm

The Korean government will call a National Security Council meeting this week to contain the fallout in inter-Korean relations in the wake of the arrival of the North Korean defectors Jang Gil-suh and six other family members.

Officials of the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry, Unification Ministry and the National Intelligence Service will also discuss the government's response to future North Korean defectors.

"The meeting will aim to stabilize inter-Korean relations," a government official said on condition of anonymity.

North Korea, in a prompt response to the departure from China of Mr. Jang and his family, said on Friday in an official broadcast, "This case is a methodically calculated conspiracy steeped in impure political intentions."

Unlike its handling of previous cases of prominent defections from North Korea, the government has minimized the family's public exposure, and has said nothing about the possibility of a press conference.

"North Korea has usually kept silent on North Korean defectors, the exception being the 1997 defection of Hwang Jang-yop," said Song Yong-dae, a former unification vice minister, referring to the highest-ranking North Korean defector so far. "But the release of a statement in the foreign ministry's name shows that they are taking this case seriously." He added, however, that the case would probably not in itself be a hurdle to resuming stalled inter-Korean talks.

Lee Jong-seok of the Sejong Institute, a government political research organization, agreed. He said, "Although the case may have a negative impact, it will not bring the whole house down."

Another government official who requested anonymity said that the North is aware that Seoul handled the situation so as not to wound Pyongyang's pride. "The North Korean statement, which is directed at the UN agency, not South Korea, show that it is aware of Seoul's efforts. Inter-Korean relations are not likely to suffer," the official said.

by Ahn Sung-kyoo