By Zhang Binyang and Gao Haorong

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Tuesday turned down South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's offer to hold a fresh inter-Korean summit, in a move which reflects Pyongyang's tough policy against his administration.

When asked to comment on a report by Japan's Kyodo news agency that Lee has voiced his willingness to meet DPRK top leader Kim Jong Il at any time if it helps solve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, a spokesman for the DPRK's semi-official Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland ruled out the possibility of such a meeting.

"It is quite clear that it is impossible to sit at the negotiating table with such a man (Lee)," the official KCNA news agency quoted the spokesman as saying.

The spokesman's remarks show that bilateral ties are still being gripped by the chill which has prevailed since Lee took office in February, analysts said.

SOURED RELATIONS

The DPRK's attitude toward Lee has actually undergone some changes. When Lee made comments favoring a tougher line against the DPRK after his election, Pyongyang took a wait-and-see stance.

After a period of observation, Pyongyang vehemently blasted Lee and his policy on April 1, calling the South Korean president a "traitor" and a "sycophant toward the United States."

Pyongyang also turned down the core of Lee's DPRK policy, namely "no nukes, opening and 3,000 dollars," which means that South Korea will help the country realize a per capita national income of 3,000 U.S. dollars in 10 years after the nuclear issue is resolved and the DPRK implements an opening-up policy.

In fact, the DPRK's reactions were more than harsh words.