Carter to visit N.Korea for Gomes’ release

Posted on : 2010-08-25 14:52 KST Modified on : 2010-08-25 14:52 KST
Experts say Carter’s visit may have an impact on the current tensions between the U.S. and N.Korea
 1994. Kim had promised to freeze his country’s nuclear weapons program.
1994. Kim had promised to freeze his country’s nuclear weapons program.

By Kwon Tae-ho

Washington Corresponent 

Can former U.S. President Jimmy Carter turn back the crisis on the Korean Peninsula, 16 years after he did so in 1994?

The United States is trying to hasten the release of Aijalon Mahli Gomes, who has been detained in North Korea since January, as it seems Gomes is reaching his physical and psychological limit due to his long captivity, including a reported suicide attempt last month. For the United States, which is soon scheduled to announce additional sanctions on North Korea, negotiating the release of Gomes is a top priority.

To do this, it is following the precedent set by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who visited North Korea to free two journalists in August of last year. Carter, who is a Clinton-level figure with a deep interest in the North Korea issue, was a natural consideration. Moreover, through his own channels, Carter reportedly explored the possibility with North Koreans about a visit through a private delegation that visited North Korea in July. 

On Tuesday, however, the United States, in indirectly informing the world of Carter’s visit, stressed that it was a private and humanitarian visit simply to free Gomes. This is because Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry, who was mentioned as a special envoy, was not chosen, and no administration figures were included in Carter’s delegation.

In response, a high-ranking South Korean official said the visit was an attempt to free Gomes before additional sanctions on North Korea are announced, and that the visit would have no real impact on the situation on the Korean Peninsula. That is to say, the United States has no plan to switch from the pressure it has put on North Korea since the sinking of the Cheonan. Accordingly, it also appears the joint South Korea-U.S. military drills around the Korean Peninsula will continue as scheduled.

It is true, however, that regardless of the U.S. intention, Carter’s visit is expected to have at least a small warming effect on the icy ties on the Korean Peninsula. Clinton’s visit in August of last year also focused on releasing the journalists, but it was followed by a visit to North Korea by Stephen Bosworth, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea policy.

The fact that Carter, who turned back a crisis on the Korean Peninsula by meeting with Kim Il-sung during the first North Korean nuclear crisis of 1994, will once again visit North Korea is symbolic. The personal character of Carter, who has a high interest in North Korea diplomacy and peace, is also a factor. Carter is naturally expected to persuade Kim Jong-il to denuclearize while explaining what he talked about with Kim‘s father.

During a lecture he gave when visiting South Korea in March, Carter revealed his own view of North Korea diplomacy, noting that unilateral sanctions could backfire and that the United States and South Korea should first propose efforts to normalize their relations with North Korea.

It appears North Korea’s acceptance of Carter’s visit was also made with this consideration in mind. A diplomatic source in Washington said North Korea must have heard from the United States that regardless of whether Gomes is freed or not, there would be no change in U.S. policy. However, Pyongyang, struck by severe floods, may hold the hope that Carter’s visit will launch the resumption of humanitarian food aid.

Meanwhile, in time with Carter‘s visit, Chinese chief negotiator for the six-party talks Wu Dawei is scheduled to visit South Korea, Japan, the United States and Russia to discuss restarting the six-party talks. Accordingly, people are also waiting to see what impact Carter’s visit will have on restarting the six-party talks.

  

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