‘6-Way Talks Only Way to Resolve N.K. Nukes’

The American, Japanese, Chinese and Russian ambassadors to Seoul say the six-way talks are the only way to achieve a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and resolve North Korea’s nuclear program, and that the cooperation of the six parties is essential to these efforts.

The U.S. and China, however, are showing subtle differences in response to South Korean President Lee Myung-bak’s principle of reciprocity on North Korea policy.

To mark The Dong-A Ilbo’s 88th anniversary, the daily held a series of interviews with ambassadors from the four major powers surrounding the peninsula – the United States, Japan, China and Russia.

U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow said North Korea has postponed the declaration of all its nuclear programs that it had pledged to complete by the end of last year. The six-party talks also lost momentum, he said, but are still the best option and that Washington and Pyongyang can conduct bilateral talks within this framework.

Chinese Ambassador Ning Fukui said, “There have been some delays in taking the six-party talks to the next level due to some difficulties they face. However, the overall direction of the talks remains the same. Negotiations may be tough, but I hope China can set the peninsula on a path to denuclearization by keeping balance in the talks as the chair country.”

Ning, however, indicated that China has a different perspective than the United States on the principle of mutuality, saying, “Military and political confrontation between the two Koreas go against not only their own interests, but also the region’s pursuit of peace.”

Japanese Ambassador Toshinori Shigeie said, “In principle, Japan seeks to normalize its relations with North Korea by denuclearizing the peninsula and resolving Japanese abductees and other historical issues that lie between the two nations. The six-party talks are an essential part of this process.”

Beijing and Moscow also indicated support for Korean reunification. Ning said, “China will do its part to bring peace, advancement and reunification to the peninsula.”

Russian Ambassador Gleb Ivashentsov said, “Russia has supported both Koreas in their efforts to achieve reunification."

youngkim@donga.com