ID :
203345
Wed, 08/24/2011 - 17:35
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/203345
The shortlink copeid
Seoul needs to look closely at NK-Russia sumnmit talks
SEOUL, Aug. 24 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il reportedly expressed his intent to return to the long-stalled six-party talks on the country's nuclear programs without preconditions and impose a moratorium on tests of weapons of mass destruction during his rare summit meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in the eastern Siberian city of Ulan-Ude Wednesday.
Kim was quoted by Medvedev's spokeswoman Nataliya Timakova as saying that in the course of the nuclear talks, his country will be ready to solve the problem of imposing a moratorium on the tests and production of nuclear weapons, according to the ITAR-Tass news agency.
The moratorium, if put in place, means that the North would not carry out any further nuclear and missile tests that have long been a cause for concern in the region. The development represents the latest progress in a flurry of diplomatic efforts to coax the North to give up its nuclear weapons programs in return for aid and diplomatic concessions.
North Korea and Russia also agreed to set up a commission for gas transit to South Korea via North Korea, a lucrative project that could help ease tensions on the divided Korean Peninsula.
The Kim-Medvedev summit had been anticipated as a signal for a change in the order of northeast Asia, including the Korean Peninsula. Political watchers also expected deep impact to economic cooperation in the region but the outcome was largely assessed as a "storm in a teacup" lacking any new content.
South Korean officials said that there was nothing new in Kim's reported comments, though they remain cautious as the government has yet to receive a debriefing from Russia.
"The results of the North Korea-Russia summit fell short of expectations of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan. The North is required to dispel suspicion surrounding its uranium enrichment program, too, in order for the six-party talks to resume," an official said.
The communist country has a track record of alternately using provocations and dialogue with South Korea, the United States and other regional powers to try to wrest concessions before backtracking on agreements and quitting the nuclear talks.
It is an undeniable truth that Russia will have bigger voice in the six-party talks and affairs in Northeast Asia through consolidating its ties with North Korea. The six-way talks that have progressed chiefly with the United States and China with both Koreas will be more complicated with the new variant of Russia. That North Korea with expanded diplomatic horizons will have new leverage in its negotiations with the U.S. and South Korea should not be overlooked.
Therefore, the government should make thorough preparations for possible developments following the Kim-Medvedev talks although the outcome looks like a "storm in a tea cup" at present.
The government is advised to make all-out diplomatic efforts with China and Russia while maintaining a firm alliance with the U.S. In inter-Korean relations, the government is anticipated to take the lead with more flexible policies while abiding by basic principles.
We also hope North Korea will realize that their effort to expand relations with the U.S., China or Russia will face a limit without the improvement of relations with South Korea. North Korea is urged to comply with the call for common prosperity and cooperation with South Korea.
Kim was quoted by Medvedev's spokeswoman Nataliya Timakova as saying that in the course of the nuclear talks, his country will be ready to solve the problem of imposing a moratorium on the tests and production of nuclear weapons, according to the ITAR-Tass news agency.
The moratorium, if put in place, means that the North would not carry out any further nuclear and missile tests that have long been a cause for concern in the region. The development represents the latest progress in a flurry of diplomatic efforts to coax the North to give up its nuclear weapons programs in return for aid and diplomatic concessions.
North Korea and Russia also agreed to set up a commission for gas transit to South Korea via North Korea, a lucrative project that could help ease tensions on the divided Korean Peninsula.
The Kim-Medvedev summit had been anticipated as a signal for a change in the order of northeast Asia, including the Korean Peninsula. Political watchers also expected deep impact to economic cooperation in the region but the outcome was largely assessed as a "storm in a teacup" lacking any new content.
South Korean officials said that there was nothing new in Kim's reported comments, though they remain cautious as the government has yet to receive a debriefing from Russia.
"The results of the North Korea-Russia summit fell short of expectations of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan. The North is required to dispel suspicion surrounding its uranium enrichment program, too, in order for the six-party talks to resume," an official said.
The communist country has a track record of alternately using provocations and dialogue with South Korea, the United States and other regional powers to try to wrest concessions before backtracking on agreements and quitting the nuclear talks.
It is an undeniable truth that Russia will have bigger voice in the six-party talks and affairs in Northeast Asia through consolidating its ties with North Korea. The six-way talks that have progressed chiefly with the United States and China with both Koreas will be more complicated with the new variant of Russia. That North Korea with expanded diplomatic horizons will have new leverage in its negotiations with the U.S. and South Korea should not be overlooked.
Therefore, the government should make thorough preparations for possible developments following the Kim-Medvedev talks although the outcome looks like a "storm in a tea cup" at present.
The government is advised to make all-out diplomatic efforts with China and Russia while maintaining a firm alliance with the U.S. In inter-Korean relations, the government is anticipated to take the lead with more flexible policies while abiding by basic principles.
We also hope North Korea will realize that their effort to expand relations with the U.S., China or Russia will face a limit without the improvement of relations with South Korea. North Korea is urged to comply with the call for common prosperity and cooperation with South Korea.
