Since the signing of the Agreed Framework on nuclear issues between the United States and DPRK, tensions still cropped up
from time to time on the Korean Peninsular.The major reason for these tensions lies in the fact that the confrontation and mutual dis-trust between the South and the North are still serious. Meanwhile, efforts to ease the tension have, however, never been stopped. The people-to-people exchanges and economic and trade ties between the two sides have further developed, greater attention has been paid to the dialogue and consu1tation by various parties, and the factors for peace and sta-bility have further increased. The
changes in the surrounding environment and the policy readjustment by big powers are the positive conditions for the relaxation of tension, and each side's own interests are the important impetus behind the continued contacts between the South and the North. In a period of time to come, the process of the "four-party talks"will determine the changes in the
situation and the formation of the structure on the Korean Peninsular. However, many difficulties still exist before substantial progress could be made in the" four-party talks", which are in fact inseparable with the easing of rela-tions between the North and the South. At present, both the South and the North are facing new choices and opportunities. As 1ong as both sides can seize on the opportunity, a new starting point will possibly appear in the relations between the South and the North.