Pyongyang again proposed to hold inter-Korean talk over the weekend. In its proposal to Seoul, Pyongyang suggested they could "hold working-level contact for opening the north-south military authorities' talks at the date and place both sides deem convenient in late May or early June" to defuse the military tension on the Korean Peninsula and create a confidence-building atmosphere. The proposal has been dismissed by Seoul as a "bogus peace offensive" as Pyongyang failed to clarify its stance on denuclearization.

"We will firmly keep the stance that the North's steps toward denuclearization should be a top priority when it comes to dialogue with Pyongyang," said Moon Sang-gyun, spokesperson for South Korea's defense ministry. Seoul's attitude is predictable. From Seoul's perspective, Pyongyang's refusing to mention the nuclear issue shows its lack of sincerity in proposing talks.

Other members of the Six-Party Talks, including China, will not accept North Korea's proposal either if the nuclear problem is crossed out from the agenda. The UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 2270 in March, which cuts off Pyongyang from any means to develop its nuclear and missile programs. As a signatory to Resolution 2270, China will not reach any deal with North Korea in private, nor will South Korea, the US, Russia or Japan. All five parties demand Pyongyang concede on nuclear issues.

In fact, this is not the first time that North Korea has launched peace offensives. Pyongyang proposes peace talks every time when it faces difficulties.

For instance, following months of tensions after the bombardment of Yeonpyeong in 2010, Pyongyang called for a peaceful settlement with Seoul, but meanwhile was still reluctant to apologize.

Currently, North Korea is under pressure of international sanctions and thus intends to ease the situation. This is the major reason behind Pyongyang's proposal.

However, apart from denuclearization, Seoul also needs to consider Washington's and Tokyo's stance on the issue, and thus it will not accept Pyongyang's peace proposal at the current stage.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently stressed at the 7th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea that the country will follow a policy known as Byongjin, namely, developing nuclear programs alongside the economy. Pyongyang will divert its focus from nuclear programs to the economy once it has built up enough military strength. However, military development may still be a focus of the nation.

Nonetheless, North Korea wants to concentrate more on economy to alleviate international pressure. It has exerted relative restraint in its nuclear programs after the congress, and is expected to stick to its Byongjin policy in the near future. However, whether Pyongyang will shift its priority from military development to economic development still waits to be seen.

Kim has surprised the world with his claims at the congress that North Korea will strive for global denuclearization and faithfully fulfill the obligations of nuclear non-proliferation. However, by making the comments, Kim expects the world to acknowledge North Korea as a nuclear state. It does not mean Pyongyang would give up its nuclear programs.

The international community will not change its attitude on North Korea unless the latter abandons its nuclear programs. Korean denuclearization is a prerequisite to peace talks and the lift of the international sanctions. Pyongyang's commitment to Korean denuclearization is key for the nation if it wants to escape from the current diplomatic isolation.

The author is a director of the Institute of International Politics, North Korea-South Korea Research Center, Yanbian University. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn Follow us on Twitter @GTopinion