Future uncertainties

The sinking of the Cheonan add to an already tense relationship. Last summer, hopes of an easing in ties flashed as the DPRK revoked some measures that were adopted amid deteriorating ties and proposed the resumption of Mt. Kumgang tours.

However, the South Korea didn't respond to it positively, disappointing the DPRK and making it believe the south was stubborn with the confrontation policy of "anti-reconciliation, anti-unification and anti-nationality."

The DPRK froze the real estate of the South Korean authorities in the Mt. Kumgang area earlier this month, then declared second-phase measures to confiscate them last week, and hinted at taking measures on another joint project -- the Kaesong industrial zone.

The South Korean defense chief earlier this month talked of a possibility that this case would remain indefinitely unresolved due to a lack of physical evidence.

South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan said last week that the issue may be brought to the United Nations Security Council anytime once Pyongyang's suspected involvement is confirmed to be true.

"If the North is found to have been involved in the incident, I believe it'd be difficult to reopen the six-party talks. It would be hard to create an atmosphere to discuss long-term prospects for its denuclearization because the North will have to be held accountable for its behavior," Yu said at a recent briefing, referring to the stalled nuclear disarmament talks.