What is behind North Korea's cancellation of joint cultural performance with South Korea

South Korea has a long history of dealing with its unpredictable neighbor to the north.
Looking at the recently-resumed inter-Korean talks alone,... North Korea pulled out of a planned trip to South Korea last week a day before it had been scheduled.
They came down the following day, but didn't explain their sudden change of heart.
For more on what might be behind these repeated cancellations... Cha Sang-mi reports.
Pyongyang claims its sudden cancellation of the joint cultural event scheduled for February 4th is a response to South Korean media reports that were critical of North Korea's behavior, and is a reflection of thce North's disappointment.
This is not the first time North Korea has called off an event before the PyeongChang Olympics, as the regime pulled the plug last minute on a trip by their delegation last week to inspect performance venues in South Korea for their art troupe. However, that trip eventually went ahead the following day.

Some experts say the regime wants to create a fissure between Seoul and Washington as the two allies are both pushing for Pyongyang's denuclearization.

"The North Korean leadership seems to be trying to shake up the Moon Jae-in government to see.. first to register its discontent and second to see if this gambit may create a divide between South Korea and the United States.

Yet others say it's an operational issue, not a diplomatic gesture.

"The Mount Kumgang Cultural Performance Center has been shut for the last decade and the facilities are very outdated. Pyongyang is worried about the operational issues involved in hosting an event for a 300-strong South Korean delegation."

Tours to Mount Kumgang have been banned since 2008 after a South Korean tourist was shot by a North Korean soldier.

Experts say that the South Korean government should no longer make any additional concessions or accommodations to North Korea's flip-flopping behavior since such moves will only create more incentives for North Korea to try to manipulate the South Korean government.
And some said there is a need for a stronger push.

"North Korea is trying to manipulate us. And the South Korean government needs to take a stronger stance on the matter since the North's participation in the PyeongChang Olympics is actually just a minimal part."

According to experts, North Korea may make more such changes to the agreements made with South Korea, but Seoul should not detach itself from the ultimate purpose - the denuclearization of the regime.
Cha Sang-mi, Arirang News.