ID :
204767
Thu, 09/01/2011 - 13:51
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/204767
The shortlink copeid
Leading presidential contender calls for upgrade of N. Korea policy
SEOUL, Sept. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea should upgrade its policy on North Korea in a way that balances tough and soft approaches toward its communist neighbor, a leading presidential contender said Thursday.
Rep. Park Geun-hye, considered the front-runner for next year's presidential race, made the remark in a meeting with reporters, elaborating on thoughts presented in her recent article on national security for the U.S. bimonthly journal Foreign Affairs.
In the article, Park suggested that South Korea should adopt a new strategy to build trust with Pyongyang and cooperate with regional powers to find the right mix of "carrots and sticks" to effectively deal with the North's nuclear ambition.
"The objective is the same: peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula," Park said of her North Korea strategy compared with that of the current government. "But the difference is that we have to be tougher when we need to be tough, and softer when we need to be soft so as to gain a balance between security and exchanges."
It was the first time that Park has given an assessment of the current administration's North Korea policy and highlighted differences in her strategy on the communist nation.
On North Korea's two deadly attacks on the South last year, Park said that it is out of the question to overlook the attacks "as if nothing had happened" and stressed that a "meaningful" improvement in inter-Korean relations would be difficult "unless the North takes a measure that is acceptable to the (South Korean) people."
But she was vague about whether a North Korean measure constitutes a "precondition" for improving relations.
Park voiced opposition to redeploying nuclear weapons to South Korea in case the North conducts another nuclear test, saying that it would not be the "best alternative" and that advancement in technologies made it possible that the location of tactical nuclear weapons does not matter much.
"I believe that a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula must be realized (not only for us, but also) for the sake of future generations," she said.
Park also said that she does not oppose holding summit talks with the North.
She also voiced support for a massive gas pipeline project shipping Siberian gas to South Korea via the North, saying it would contribute greatly to promoting peace and building trust between the two Koreas.
Rep. Park Geun-hye, considered the front-runner for next year's presidential race, made the remark in a meeting with reporters, elaborating on thoughts presented in her recent article on national security for the U.S. bimonthly journal Foreign Affairs.
In the article, Park suggested that South Korea should adopt a new strategy to build trust with Pyongyang and cooperate with regional powers to find the right mix of "carrots and sticks" to effectively deal with the North's nuclear ambition.
"The objective is the same: peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula," Park said of her North Korea strategy compared with that of the current government. "But the difference is that we have to be tougher when we need to be tough, and softer when we need to be soft so as to gain a balance between security and exchanges."
It was the first time that Park has given an assessment of the current administration's North Korea policy and highlighted differences in her strategy on the communist nation.
On North Korea's two deadly attacks on the South last year, Park said that it is out of the question to overlook the attacks "as if nothing had happened" and stressed that a "meaningful" improvement in inter-Korean relations would be difficult "unless the North takes a measure that is acceptable to the (South Korean) people."
But she was vague about whether a North Korean measure constitutes a "precondition" for improving relations.
Park voiced opposition to redeploying nuclear weapons to South Korea in case the North conducts another nuclear test, saying that it would not be the "best alternative" and that advancement in technologies made it possible that the location of tactical nuclear weapons does not matter much.
"I believe that a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula must be realized (not only for us, but also) for the sake of future generations," she said.
Park also said that she does not oppose holding summit talks with the North.
She also voiced support for a massive gas pipeline project shipping Siberian gas to South Korea via the North, saying it would contribute greatly to promoting peace and building trust between the two Koreas.
