NK Security Guarantee in Return for Abandoning Nuke Ambitions

The South Korean government is considering a counter proposal to the “bold” new one, in which North Korea offered the US regarding its nuclear development program during the three-way talks held in Beijing, after close consultation with the US and Japan, sources reported on May 5.

“The Trilateral Coordination and Oversight Group (TCOG) meeting of South Korea, the US, and Japan will be held right after scheduled summit talks between South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and US President George Bush this month. The two countries are expected to work on a follow-up proposal for the North after a thorough examination the communist country`s proposal,” said one government official.

It is highly likely that the expected counter proposal under consideration by the three nations will urge the North to act first. The three nations` proposal may include that unless the North abandons its nuclear development program, it would not be given any economic aid or security guarantees.

“Although a concrete plan for a follow-up proposal has not been worked out at this stage, the TCOG meeting will come up with a detailed proposal after the two leaders of South Korea and the US discuss the issue in the upcoming summit,” the government official added.

With regard to the timing of the TCOG meeting, the government official hinted that it might be held at the end of May or in the beginning of June.

“Our government is maintaining its position that South Korea`s humanitarian economic assistance to the North is a separate issue from inter-Korean economic cooperation projects,” the official continued. “Although inter-Korean economic cooperation is influenced by politics at home and abroad, the government will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Pyongyang irregardless of political issues such as the nuclear standoff between the US and North Korea.”

Young-Sik Kim spear@donga.com