[Editorial] Kim Jong-il’s visit to China as a stepping stone to six-party talks

Posted on : 2010-05-04 12:13 KST Modified on : 2010-05-04 12:13 KST

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has begun his visit to China. The several rumors of upcoming visits to China from the beginning of the year have in fact become a reality, but keen interest has arisen as a result of the increasing tensions due to the sinking of the Cheonan and the deterioration of inter-Korean relations.

Attention is focusing mainly on whether the visit will provide an opportunity to resume the six-party talks. If talks go well during the visit, it could reactivate efforts to restart the six-party talks, which have been in a lull since the sinking of the Cheonan. Prior to this, North Korea has been demanding as conditions to the talks a guarantee to discuss a peace treaty and the removal of sanctions, and China had prepared a compromise offer that accepted some of these demands and discussed them with other participating states. The visit to China could become a venue for a decision on this proposal or to discuss a new framework. Whatever the plan, it must contain measures that can bring about substantive progress in the nuclear negotiations in order for it to be well received by the U.S. and other participatory states.

It also appears the two countries will hold deep discussions about bilateral economic cooperation during the visit. North Korea has recently been striving to strengthen its economic cooperation with China. During the visit, Kim Jong-il will try to raise the level of economic cooperation in terms of quantity and quality and receive food aid. This shows the extent of the severity of North Korea’s current economic situation. Many experts believe that with a bad harvest and foreign aid shut off, the food situation this spring will be as bad as that of the mid 1990s. It is highly likely that China will pledge aid, even if to secure the power to restart the six-party talks. We hope Kim can once again see the fruits of China’s openness and reform and learn their lessons.

Attention is also expected to focus upon whether the Cheonan disaster is addressed during the meeting. Even if the issue is raised, however, it seems likely that North Korea will deny involvement and China will adopt a neutral attitude. In fact, it is also possible that as long as there is no concrete evidence that proves North Korea’s involvement, there is no reason for China to bring up the issue first. South Korea also must not allow the Cheonan tragedy to have a negative impact on discussions of pending international issues related to the Korean Peninsula, such as the nuclear issue.

The six-party talks have been suspended for one year and six months. If a turning point cannot be reached now, the energy to restart the talks can easily fall as both South Korea and the U.S. administrations enter the second halves of their terms. The relevant nations must actively create a mood in which North Korea can resolve to abandon its nuclear program. Resolving the nuclear issue is also good for getting reelected the Obama adminstration, which has even made clear its intention to negotiate with North Korea. The visit to China must become a part of this process.

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