"북한지도자 사과 극히 이례적"…그 배경은?<br /><br />So, why was North Korea so unusually quick to issue an apology to the South?<br />Experts point to numerous reasons behind the move including the regime's willingness to maintain dialogue between Seoul and Pyeongyang.<br />Our Kim Dami has more.<br />Observers say Pyeongyang's quick, rare apology shows... destroying communication between the two Koreas is something the North wants to avoid.<br />"South Korean citizens are really upset about the incident, which may destroy Seoul's dialogue efforts between the two Koreas. The apology is neither hot nor cold. The North doesn't want a complete disconnection between the two."<br />This is not the first time the regime has expressed swift regret over killing a South Korean civilian.<br />Just a day after killing a tourist at the Mount Kumgang resort in 2008, North Korea made an announcement, admitting its action.<br />But experts point out that the gravity of the apology is different this time.<br />"Back in 2008, the North's apology was by the organization in charge of tourism, but this time, the regime itself, including the leader Kim Jong-un sent a message. Kim apologized on this rare occasion to keep the safety on the Korean peninsula."<br />The expert added that the North is seeking to remain in a stable, unprovocative status... especially ahead of the November U.S. presidential election.<br />Plus, Kim wants to keep his image as a normal leader...of a normal country.<br />"North Korean leader Kim Jong-un knows that if this situation lasts any longer, it will not help him in any way and defeats his efforts to build his image as a normal leader."<br />However, analysts note it's too early say whether the North's surprise apology will revive dialogue between Seoul and Pyeongyang in the long term.<br />Kim Dami, Arirang News.<br />
