North Korea, which has been continuing to launch missile provocations while refusing dialogue, announced on September 9th that it is willing to have a meeting with the U.S. in late September. But the caveat is that the U.S. needs to bring forth new proposals that would be acceptable for both countries. The change in North Korea’s attitude comes as several hardline approaches were adopted including a possibility of nuclear armament of South Korea and Japan. As North Korea and the U.S. are intent on talking again, the role of the South Korean government as facilitator is gaining importance. Inter-Korean relations reached its peak in September last year with the opening of a liaison office, the third inter-Korean summit as well as the inter-Korean military agreement. However, a year later, the two Koreas turned their backs against one another yet again. We talk to experts of both Korea and the U.S. to discuss the cause of strained inter-Korean relations and whether the relationship can be restored as Pyeongyang and Washington are set on coming to a new agreement.