Washington should rethink its policy toward Pyongyang and adjust its DPRK policy. Other Western countries should take a responsible attitude and join hands with China and the US to persuade the two parties to return to the negotiating table and resume the Six-Party Talks.

The possibility of a "soft landing" for the inter-Korean conflict does still exist.

First, neither Pyongyang nor Seoul wants to wage a war and both dare not engage in an all-out war. Neither would be able to withstand the catastrophic damage caused by a modern war and both sides need a peaceful environment for their own development and construction. Both sides have time and leeway to adjust and change their policies.

Second, though issuing stern statements, both sides have restrained themselves from infuriating the other in practice. The ROK government played down its former defense minister's comments on redeploying nuclear weapons in the ROK. In dealing with the conflict, both sides have left leeway for resuming peace talks.

Third, the international community does not want to see unrest or warfare on the Korean Peninsula. For example, Russia issued statements similar to China's, and both the US and Japan do not want to see the deterioration of the regional situation. This, too, is conducive to creating peace and stability on the peninsula.

Fourth, Beijing and Washington have been talking. Stephen Bosworth, US special representative for DPRK policy and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi reached a consensus in emergency talks amid the crisis that conflict is unacceptable and both the DPRK and the ROK should exert restraint.

Efforts should be made to resume the Six-Party Talks as soon as possible so the DPRK and the ROK can bury the hatchet and work for peace.

The author is director of the Center for Korean Studies at Fudan University.