The increasingly convincing argument is that in order to ease Washington’s strong
stance against Pyongyang and to avoid using aggressive measures to solve the weapons program, inter-Korean relations must be improved to reinforce peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
At the same time, Seoul’s role should be enhanced to ultimately reach a peaceful and lasting solution. Improved relations between the two Koreas would increase Pyongyang’s dependence on Seoul while opening inroads for the South Korean government to influence
the North, and it would also be a powerful and positive means to resolve concerns over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. Following the policies of his predecessor, President Roh Moo-hyun is also keen on improving relations with the North while trying topromote a peaceful solution of the nuclear crisis