South Korea has maintained that before any inter-Korean talks, the North should show sincerity and take “responsible measures” for the March sinking of the corvette Cheonan and the November artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island.

The two incidents have sent tensions on the Korean Peninsula soaring to its highest level in recent years. The artillery attack on the northwestern border island marked the first attack on a civilian area since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

Speaking at a joint press conference at the White House with Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday, U.S. President Barack Obama said, “I told President Hu that we appreciated China’s role in reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. And we agreed that North Korea must avoid further provocations. We agreed that the paramount goal must be complete denuclearization of the peninsula.”

During his visit to Seoul last Friday, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that “diplomatic engagement” with North Korea was possible, starting with direct engagement between the two Koreas.

He also said that when North Korea’s actions give reason to believe that talks with the North could be conducted “in good faith,” the multilateral aid-for-denuclearization talks could resume.

Observers here said the remarks by Gates indicated that Washington wants Seoul to be flexible in its consideration of dialogue with the North. They also said that the remarks sent a signal to the North that it is important to improve inter-Korean ties before the resumption of the six-party talks.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)