ID :
35220
Fri, 12/12/2008 - 11:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/35220
The shortlink copeid
Lee's N. Korea policy runs counter to six-party talks: scholar
By Kim Young-gyo
SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Yonhap) -- The incumbent South Korean government's attitude towards North Korea runs counter to efforts made at the six-nation talks to end the communist country's nuclear ambitions, a South Korean scholar said Thursday.
"President Lee Myung-bak's so-called 'denuclearization, openness and 3000' policy
is short-sighted," said Ko Sang-tu, professor of political science at Seoul's
Yonsei University, during a forum hosted by the university.
Ko's remarks came as the latest round of talks in Beijing stalled earlier
Thursday after member nations -- the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan
and Russia -- failed to reach an agreement on the next step in North Korea's
denuclearization process.
"(Lee's) policy imposes the condition on North Korea that no economic aid will be
provided until it has no nuclear programs," Ko said.
"Using economic cooperation as a leverage in resolving the North Korean issue
might seem proper, but such measures will not work as the nuclear program enables
the survival of the North Korean regime."
Ko described Lee's approach of imposing ultimatums on Pyongyang as "too radical,
as it demands the complete settlement of the North's nuclear issue as a
precondition for continued economic aid."
Lee pledged on taking office in February to triple North Korea's per capita
income to $3,000 within the next 10 years if Pyongyang gives up its nuclear
weapons. Lee also said he is willing to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il
as often as possible, once dubbing him a "negotiable partner" despite Pyongyang's
fierce personal attacks against the South Korean leader.
Ko voiced deep skepticism over Lee's approach.
"Is the North Korean nuclear issue as simple as to be resolved within Lee's five
year term? The dismantlement of the North Korea nuclear program has not been
resolved for the last 20 years."
Ko stressed that the Lee administration has not set realistic goals regarding its
relationship with the North.
"Current policy will not bring about any change in the North's attitude. The
total dismantlement of the nuclear program should be set as a long-term goal. For
the short term, South Korea can demand of North Korea improvement in its human
rights conditions, political reform and openness."
SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Yonhap) -- The incumbent South Korean government's attitude towards North Korea runs counter to efforts made at the six-nation talks to end the communist country's nuclear ambitions, a South Korean scholar said Thursday.
"President Lee Myung-bak's so-called 'denuclearization, openness and 3000' policy
is short-sighted," said Ko Sang-tu, professor of political science at Seoul's
Yonsei University, during a forum hosted by the university.
Ko's remarks came as the latest round of talks in Beijing stalled earlier
Thursday after member nations -- the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan
and Russia -- failed to reach an agreement on the next step in North Korea's
denuclearization process.
"(Lee's) policy imposes the condition on North Korea that no economic aid will be
provided until it has no nuclear programs," Ko said.
"Using economic cooperation as a leverage in resolving the North Korean issue
might seem proper, but such measures will not work as the nuclear program enables
the survival of the North Korean regime."
Ko described Lee's approach of imposing ultimatums on Pyongyang as "too radical,
as it demands the complete settlement of the North's nuclear issue as a
precondition for continued economic aid."
Lee pledged on taking office in February to triple North Korea's per capita
income to $3,000 within the next 10 years if Pyongyang gives up its nuclear
weapons. Lee also said he is willing to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il
as often as possible, once dubbing him a "negotiable partner" despite Pyongyang's
fierce personal attacks against the South Korean leader.
Ko voiced deep skepticism over Lee's approach.
"Is the North Korean nuclear issue as simple as to be resolved within Lee's five
year term? The dismantlement of the North Korea nuclear program has not been
resolved for the last 20 years."
Ko stressed that the Lee administration has not set realistic goals regarding its
relationship with the North.
"Current policy will not bring about any change in the North's attitude. The
total dismantlement of the nuclear program should be set as a long-term goal. For
the short term, South Korea can demand of North Korea improvement in its human
rights conditions, political reform and openness."
