China Proposes Multilateral Framework with Bilateral Talks on the Sidelines

China, in a bid to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis, proposed a new format for talks that supports a multilateral framework for negotiations, while allowing for North Korea-U.S. bilateral meetings on the sidelines. It also urged North Korea to come back to the table quickly, sources said yesterday.

This proposal, aimed at satisfying both North Korea and the United States, as well as other concerned countries, was delivered to President Kim Jung-il and senior North Korean officials by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo. The Chinese Foreign Ministry explained the details to diplomats in Beijing.

The proposal was also reported to have been agreed by President Roh Moo-hyun during his recent summit in China with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao.

North Korea would be ready to accept five-nation talks if a promise was made to guarantee the survival of its regime, the Tokyo Shimbun reported.

In unofficial contacts with the U.S. this month in New York, the North notified the U.S. of having reprocessed nuclear fuel rods, while gesturing flexibility in holding five-way talks on the condition of guaranteeing the regime in Pyongyang.

If an agreement is reached on the five-way talks, China is considering proposing that participating countries in the talks guarantee the security of North Korea in a bid to bring North Korea into bilateral meetings with the U.S.

“Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo`s visit to Pyongyang as a Chinese special envoy during July 12 to 15 was important and useful,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kung Chian noted. He added that “In-depth views on mutual interests were also exchanged” suggesting some progress toward multilateral talks was made.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell exchanged views on North Korea`s nuclear crisis, and agreed to exert efforts to further constructive and cooperative Sino-U.S. relations, the Xinhua news agency reported.

North Korea`s nuclear crisis will be the main topic on the agenda in the ROK-U.K. summit meeting when British Prime Minister Tony Blair visits to China July 20 and 22, Kung said.

In the meantime, Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Yanai Soonji emphasized the importance of China`s role at the Japanese National Press Club on Tuesday, commenting, “Even if an economic embargo is imposed on North Korea, it is futile without China`s corporation.”

“If North Korea insists on developing nuclear weapons, the military option will eventually become the only choice, and it will cause neighboring countries to suffer considerable damage, while the North Korean government would be exterminated. But if North Korea gives up its nuclear programs and chooses cooperation, its regime will get economic assistance and continue to survive.”

yshwang@donga.com parkwj@donga.com