Allies ratchet up pressure on China, Russia

By Kang Hyun-kyung South Korea’s chief nuclear negotiator Wi Sung-lac will head for Russia next week to discuss with his counterpart there ways to handle North Korea, which recently unveiled a uranium enrichment program and launched a deadly attack on Yeonpyeong Island. His trip to Russia coincides with the U.S. government’s increasing pressure on China, a decades-long benefactor of the North, to exert its influence to stop the Stalinist state’s belligerent acts. The allies have stepped up pressure on China and Russia to play their roles in reining in North Korea, which has become increasingly provocative and volatile after the dynastic leadership succession officially began in late September. An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade told reporters on condition of anonymity Friday that Wi is scheduled to meet with Alexei Borodavkin, deputy foreign minister of Russia. “Wi will explain to the Russian official the results of the tripartite talks among South Korea, the United States, and Japan held in Washington this week,” the official said. “He will also discuss ways to deal with the North’s uranium program, which poses a grave threat (to the international community). It is even more serious than the North’s other provocations such as the sinking of the warship Cheonan and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island.” Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and his Japanese counterpart Seiji Maehara in Washington to discuss ways to handle the North. The three countries adopted a joint statement condemning the North for posing a series of threats. Specifically, Clinton urged China to use its leverage to rein in Pyongyang. After returning to Seoul, Wi will meet with his American counterpart Sung Kim. Meanwhile, North Korean Foreign Minister Park Ui-chun reportedly will visit Russia next week. Asked about the prospects of Wi meeting Park while in Russia, the foreign ministry official ruled out such a possibility. James Steinberg, U.S. deputy secretary of state, will go to China next week as head of a high-level delegation. Earlier, he said Beijing can play a critical role in easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula by persuading the North to stop acting provocatively, noting it was in the interests of both the United States and China to work together. A foreign ministry official said China appears to be feeling mounting pressure lately regarding its role in easing military tensions. “As a global power, China appears to feel increasing pressure to play a part. I sensed that China also feels pressure as it is often described as a protector of the North,” the official said, asking not to be named. “Given Beijing’s recent moves, I think that it is trying to take the initiative to ease tensions.” His remarks came a day after Chinese state councilor Dai Bingguo met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang. It was the first time that the senior Chinese official had talks with Kim since the North attacked South Korean territory in late November. Xinhua News Agency said the two reached a consensus on bilateral relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula after candid and in-depth talks.

hkang@koreatimes.co.kr