China’s Six Party Talks representative in Seoul for pivotal visit

Posted on : 2016-02-29 15:44 KST Modified on : 2016-02-29 15:44 KST
Rare trip to Seoul by Wu Dawei comes ahead of strongest-ever UN sanctions against North Korea
South Korean Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Hwang Joon-kook escorts Chinese Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Affairs Wu Dawei to his seat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul
South Korean Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Hwang Joon-kook escorts Chinese Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Affairs Wu Dawei to his seat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul

The chairman for the Six-Party Talks on the North Korean nuclear issue arrived in South Korea for a visit on Feb. 28.

The arrival of Chinese Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Affairs Wu Dawei came amid the countdown to a new United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution sanctioning North Korea in response to its recent fourth nuclear test and rocket launch. It is Wu’s first visit to South Korea since Apr. 26-29, 2011 - and could be a reflection of the severity of the current situation around the peninsula.

“China and South Korea are strategic cooperation partners who can discuss any issue. We are capable of talking about all issues on a basis of mutual respect,” Wu affirmed in a meeting with reporters just after arriving at Incheon International Airport that afternoon. That message could be an indication that he will be delivering frank words during the visit, without limiting the topics under discussion.

Later in the afternoon, Wu was met by South Korea’s senior Six-Party Talks representative and Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Hwang Joon-kook, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs annex of the Central Government Complex in Seoul.

“It’s good to meet you at a time when the most powerful North Korea sanctions in UN history are set to emerge. We greatly appreciate the constructive role China has played in the resolution drafting progress,” Hwang told Wu.

Hwang also said he “looks forward to sharing general opinions on Korean Peninsula issue and holding in-depth discussions to evaluate the UNSC resolution and prepare a future response.”

On a lighter note, Wu added, “It doesn‘t snow in Beijing. I’m glad it‘s snowing.”

But Hwang and Wu also appear to have exposed something of a rift in their discussions. Sources said Wu emphasized the need for plans to get dialogue and negotiation back on track in addition to the UNSC resolution, and gave a detailed explanation of the aims of an initiative proposed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi involving a parallel approach toward North Korean denuclearization and a peace agreement. In contrast, Hwang stressed the need to treat denuclearization as a priority and called the current moment “a time for focusing on sanctions,” sources said. The two also differed on the Six-Party Talks, where Beijing is calling for a swift resumption and Seoul is suggesting a five-party framework involving all parties except North Korea. Opinions were reportedly exchange on the potential deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system with US Forces Korea.

Wu will reportedly pay a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se on Feb. 29 and visit the Blue House and Ministry of Unification during his stay, which is reportedly scheduled to continue until Mar. 3.

By Lee Je-hun, staff reporter

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

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