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Talking to DPRK
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-13 08:01

Whether Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the Democratic People' Republic of Korea (DPRK) will be the prelude to resumption of the Six-Party Talks remains unclear. But there are signs that the talks could become a reality if the parties concerned show sincerity and make enough effort in the right direction.

After the second trilateral leaders' meeting of China, Japan and Republic of Korea (ROK) on Saturday, Premier Wen said he got the impression from his visit to DPRK early last week that this neighbor was not opposed to the Six-Party Talks, and was willing to improve relations not only with the United States, but also with ROK and Japan.

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That is the opportunity Premier Wen refers to for the resumption of the talks. As is known, DPRK's consent to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula is the key to re-opening talks. Its pullout from the talks, because of US "condemnation" of its missile launches and nuclear tests earlier this year, had stalled the talks. The six-party negotiations include the US, ROK, Japan, DPRK, China and Russia.

The dialog and dinner between former US president Bill Clinton and DPRK leader Kim Jong-il and the subsequent release of the two US journalists who were imprisoned for illegal border crossing and illegal acts in August could be interpreted as one of the conciliatory signals both countries have sent out.

Talking to DPRK

Kim's meeting with a ROK tycoon and agreement to resume several tourism ventures that would allow people from the South to visit the North for family reunions sends another message that the DPRK is unwilling to remain isolated. So does Kim's sending of a delegation to the funeral of Kim Dae-jung, former president of ROK and proponent of the "sunshine policy" of the reconciliation with the DPRK.

China has long maintained that talks are the best way to promote understanding and trust, which could finally lead to a peaceful resolution of the disputes. That explains why China has initiated the Six-Party Talks and made as much effort as possible to push for continuation of the talks.

In the second round of trilateral talks between China, Japan and ROK that just concluded this weekend, the three parties agreed that talks should continue for the peaceful settlement of related issues for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. They are all willing to make constructive efforts for the early resumption of the talks. All these have added to that possibility.

What we are waiting for are constructive efforts by the other two parties, the US in particular. We don't think that the US should remain unconcerned and grudge its own efforts for such a chance.

We know that it will not be easy to denuclearize the Korean peninsula even if the Six-Party Talks are resumed. But there is hope as long as all parties are open to talks and are sincere in seeking to settle the issue in a peaceful manner.

(China Daily 10/13/2009 page8)