We begin with the latest on President Park Geun-hye's New Year's proposal for family reunions. No response yet from Pyongyang... but experts say... her offer is likely to serve as strong momentum to mending soured inter-Korean ties. Arirang News' Han Da-eun reports. Following in the footsteps of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's friendly New Year's message,... President Park Geun-hye also made a conciliatory gesture on Monday,... suggesting a resumption of inter-Korean family reunions for those separated since the Korean War. Pyongyang unilaterally and abruptly canceled reunions planned for September just days before they were to take place. So could President Park's proposal serve as the touchstone for friendlier inter-Korean relations this year? Experts say yes. "I think the proposal will serve as momentum to improve strained inter-Korean ties. President Park did urge North Korea to abandon its nuclear program, but overall, her speech has left the door open for dialogue. North Korea doesn't want further tensions now either, as it's weathering some internal instability." Seoul's unification ministry, however, made clear on Tuesday, that the issue of family reunions will not be linked to the halted inter-Korean tourism project near Mt. Geumgangsan. The announcement is being interpreted by many... as a way to block North Korea from taking advantage of family reunions to restart tourism operations. Seoul maintains the stance that tours to the Mount Geumgang resort will not resume unless Pyongyang claims responsibility for shooting a South Korean tourist dead in 2008. But some experts say... the issue of the Mount Geumgangsan project won't get in the way of restarting inter-Korean dialogue. "Even if North Korea attempts to mix the two issues, I think the two sides will be able to find middle ground... as they've now both entered a phase of seeking out dialogue." Analysts also add... Seoul's latest offer will serve as a barometer of North Korea's sincerity in mending ties with the South. Han Da-eun, Arirang News. Title: President Park faces challenges in easing investment regulations Moving now to President Park Geun-hye's economic vision... Her push to ease investment regulations in the service sector... to boost domestic demand is showing signs of progress. But... as our Kwon Soa reports... challenges remain..., and the voices of dissent are growing louder. A bill proposed to ease regulations for industrial complex investments was passed at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday,... one day after President Park Geun-hye placed an emphasis on boosting domestic demand by deregulating the service sector. "We will look at investment regulations from square one, and we will ease all unneccessary regulations."

• published: 07 Jan 2014
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