S.Korea and China remain divided over Cheonan responses

Posted on : 2010-05-17 12:21 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Diplomatic strategy has diverged over differing prioritization of resuming six-party talks and resolving the issue of the sinking of the Cheonan
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South Korea and China are once again showing a clear difference in position on the sinking of the Cheonan and the issue of six-party talks. The nations have showed a stark contrast in both policy priorities and policy approaches on both issues, which have become key variables in the political situation on the Korean Peninsula.

During the fourth foreign ministers’ meeting held by South Korean, Japanese and Chinese foreign ministers’ Saturday in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, China emphasized the importance of resuming the six-party talks over a response to the Cheonan situation. Meeting with journalists following the tripartite meeting, Japanese Foreign Minister Okada Katsuya said, “China talked about issues such as a specific method for resuming the six-party talks and other related issues.” An official with the Japanese Foreign Ministry also told South Korean journalists on Sunday, “China stressed that the six-party talks are the best method of achieving denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and said that it was doing its best as chair nation for the resumption of the six-party talks.”

China also showed a clear temperature differential from the South Korean government with regard to the Cheonan situation. A South Korean Foreign Ministry authority said China repeatedly referred to previous expressions of condolences and words of comfort on the “unfortunate incident” while listening to the South Korean explanation during a meeting between the South Korean and Chinese foreign ministers. The authority added, “There were also comments about the importance of an objective and scientific investigation.” China is known to have also talked about the need for conclusive evidence if the cause of the Cheonan’s sinking is to be determined. In other words, it is stating in a roundabout way that it will be unable to recognize the sinking as being due to a North Korean attack unless conclusive evidence is presented.

According to a report published in the People’s Daily, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu on Saturday quoted Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi as saying at the tripartite Foreign Ministers meeting, “China hopes that the nations involved value the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and this region, take a long-term view, and maintain dispassionate self-control so that they can handle related issues smoothly.” Since North Korea has continued to deny responsibility for the Cheonan disaster, calling the charges “South Korean slander,” this shows that China is using the six-party talks to establish a course toward stabilizing the political situation on the Korean Peninsula.

This approach has come into conflict with Seoul’s policy. South Korea has been approaching the resumption of the six-party talks as something to be considered only after the Cheonan situation has been resolved. It is also known that it plans to show off South Korea-U.S. coordination with the South Korea visit of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is to stop in the country around May 25 following the U.S.-China strategic and economic dialogue to be held in Beijing, and to avail itself of the momentum to refer the Cheonan matter to the UN Security Council sometime next month. The intention is to extract either international sanctions against North Korea or at the very least symbolic denunciation from the Security Council. However, there is little chance of success in Seoul’s strategy, with China, which holds veto power in the Security Council, once again maintaining an unbending approach.

A diplomatic source in Washington said the U.S. government apparently plans to express its support immediately after the South Korean government’s announcement of its investigation results around May 20, and to present the position at the time of Clinton’s visit around May 25 that the matter is something that needs to be addressed at the level of the South Korea-U.S. alliance. The U.S. has also reportedly been planning to lend its support to Seoul’s policy of referring the matter to the Security Council. However, Washington also cannot help sensing a political burden if China continues adhering to its existing stance, which clashes with that of the South Korean government, since even if the matter is taken to the Security Council, it has little chance of success or practical benefit. Indeed, the U.S. government is known to want the Cheonan issue settled as quickly as possible and the process toward resuming the six-party talks initiated within two to three months.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

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