Seoul is wary in the face of North Korea's repeated overtures over the past week, with several officials voicing suspicion of a hidden agenda. Some believe North Korea's gestures are perfunctory or aimed at justifying a provocation against South Korea in the weeks ahead to distract attention from the execution late last year of former eminence grise Jang Song-taek.

◆ Peace Gestures

In an editorial on Monday, North Korea's official Rodong Sinmun daily called for an "immediate end" to derogatory comments from both sides, saying they only "heighten tensions." The North also called for a halt to joint U.S.-South Korean military drills scheduled for late February.

When South Korea declined, Pyongyang promised to take "substantial steps" first to demonstrate its resolve to realize this "crucial proposal."

President Park Geun-hye on Monday nonetheless ordered the military to remain alert, but North Korea merely repeated the proposal. Meanwhile, North Korean special forces have been conducting infiltration drills near border areas.