Treat Pyongyang With 'Respect' and Resume Six-Party Talks (Huanqiu, People's Republic of China)
North Korea, through Kim Jong-Un's
special envoy, has accepted a resumption of the Six-Party Talks, which included
China, North and South Korea, Russia, the United States and Japan. According to
this editorial from China's state-run Huanqui, keeping in mind Pyongyang's profound sense of insecurity,
it is now the responsibility of the U.S., Japan, and especially South Korea, to
seize this opportunity and treat the North with the respect it craves.
Choe Ryong-hae, Kim Jong-un's special envoy and director of the Korean People's Army General Political Bureau, in Beijing to deliver a letter to China President Xi Jinping. It looks like Pyongyang is looking for a way out of the corner it has painted itself after months of nuclear tests, rocket launches and the most provacative rhetoric in decades.
Secretary
General of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and State President Xi
Jinping met on Friday with Kim Jong-un
special envoy ChoeRyong-hae,
who delivered a handwritten letter from the North Korean leader. Although the
contents of the letter were not disclosed, they are believed to be extremely
positive. Choe said that the DPRK
cherishes its traditional friendship with China, and is willing to resolve all
prevailing problems through the Six-Party Talks and other forms of negotiation.
The
special envoy's visit has, to a considerable extent, alleviated the tense
atmosphere on the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang's change in attitude may have somewhat
surprised the outside world, but means that for the peninsula, a new horizon has
opened up.
While
[after the past few months of tensions] it may now appear that there are divergences
between China and North Korea, the foundation of their friendship is more profound
than outsiders imagine. China-DPRK relations are
capable of allowing for the expression of differing opinions, and can withstand
friction over some specific issues without leading to confrontation.
North
Korea has expressed how it "treasures" its traditional ties with
China, adding new content and meaning to that statement. After a series of
controversies, both countries now have a deeper awareness of the value of their
special relationship.
China
is stronger today than at any time since the Korean War, which is why for
Pyongyang today, maintaining friendly ties with China is increasingly
important. At the same time, the new complexity introduced to Northeast Asia by
Washington's "Asia pivot" has shown the indispensable value of North
Korea's independent role.
Over
the past few months, North Korea, based on its own interests and judgment, took
some actions the resulted in regional tension. China responded as a great and
responsible power should respond. In the fullness of time, North Korea will understand
that this was keeping with Korea long-term interests.
Pyongyang's
attitude of "resolving all prevailing problems through the Six-Party Talks
and other forms of negotiation" should be encouraged. Although there have
been many changes in Pyongyang's attitude before, the international community should
seize on this particular change to create conditions for sustaining it, and to
prevent a negative attitude on the part of the DPRK from
again setting in. Since the parties have called for the denuclearization of the
Korea Peninsula, they should all sit at the negotiating table and talk rather
than propagandizing and creating a tense atmosphere.
We must emphasize again that the DPRK is by no means the only responsible party for the stalemate
on the Korean Peninsula. Since the disparity of forces is so great between
North Korea on the one hand, and South Korea, Japan and the United States on
the other, the responsibility shouldered by the latter should be similarly greater.
Since
North Korea is willing to return to Six-Party talks, the other parties should
respond positively. South Korea in particular must seize this opportunity to
reduce tensions. And South Korea is obliged to persuade the U.S. and Japan to
contribute to this reduction in tensions, since it is the South that directly confronts
the DPRK, and it will be the South which will be one
of the biggest beneficiaries of eradicating this relic of the Cold War from the
Korean Peninsula.
Chinese
leaders will soon meet separately with South Korean leaders. China has played
an important role in bringing about a change in Pyongyang's attitude. South
Korea must now coordinate its efforts with China to avoid any further
complications and jointly promote a resumption of the Six-Party Talks as soon
as possible.
Posted By Worldmeets.US
After
all, as one of the weakest countries in Northeast Asia, North Korea is the most
prominent victim of the Cold War. All parties should be sympathetic to the DPRK's predicament and treat it with respect. This is the
political prerequisite for resolving the problems on the Korean Peninsula, and
a "litmus test" for whether South Korea, the United States and Japan
really wish to ease tensions.
Of
course, as we have repeated several times, Pyongyang faces a daunting task
trying to regain the trust of the international community. North Korean uncertainly
when it comes to the outside world will be critical in dealing with the
seriousness of the situation. We hope Pyongyang can maintain the unwavering
determination expressed in its latest statement, and join hands with China to move
forward.
Rome
wasn't built in a day, but if North and South Korea show a firm determination
to resolve their problems peacefully, no one will be able to bring them to the
point of confrontation or even war. China has done what it can, and we hope
Washington will not let the world down and do the same.
