Welcoming Remarks

by Mr. Cho Taeyong,

First vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of

the Republic of Korea

at the Korea-U.S.-China Trialteral Conference

on Friday, April 4th, 2014

Ambassador Park In-guk, President of Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies, Dr. Jonathan Pollack, Senior Fellow of John L. Thornton China Center of Brookings Institution, Dr. Jia Qingguo, Dean of the School of International Studies of Yonsei University, and Dr. Yum Jae-ho, Vice-President of Korea University, Distinguished scholars and participants,

It is such an honor and pleasure to be here at the Trilateral Conference on Northeast Asia and the United States jointly hosted by Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies, Brookings Institution and School of International Studies, Pekin University.

I am Confident that this conference, bringing together distinguished scholars from three countries, offers a unique and excellent opportunity to address new challenges here in Northeast Asia at this critical time of transition.

I also want to add that the ROK government puts priority on nurturing trilateral conversation among Korea, China and the United States, in Track II, Track 1.5 and eventually Track I format. Because we are conscious that our three countries have shared interests and increasingly mutually consistent perspectives about the importance of stable security environment and of value of cooperation in achieving common prosperity.

(International Environment and Challenges)

As we are all well aware, the 21st century has brought a turbulent and challenging international environment.

The recent crisis in Ukraine is the case in point. It testifies to the deepening interdependence among nations for better or for worse. Indeed today's world is interconnected at a level one would not think possible a century or even several decades ago.

Crimean annexation may have been a result of several factors including internal confusion and ill-advised course of events in Ukraine as well as Russian government's assertive policy aimed at the building of a 'Strong Russia.'

However, its wider effect has already been felt in many capitals as well as in all major stock trading cities in different parts of the world. Korea is by no means immune - economically and ever in areas of security. So what is happening in Ukraine has led to broad-based uncertainty in international politics.

Although it is too early to talk about the advent of a 'New Cold War Era', a possibility that has been referred to by some, we are nevertheless concerned that relations between the Western countries and Russia would be seriously strained that the ability to deal with important international issues such as Syria and Iran nuclear issue would be hampered for a considerable time.

Northeast Asia also is facing multiple security challenges while ist economic interdependence is rapidly increasing. There is a growing concern that economic interdependence does not automatically lead to resolving security challenges and, for that matter, harmonious neighborly relations.

There is no question that much of Northeast Asian security would be dependent on the U.S.-China relations. The future of this region will be directed by either tension or harmony

between the rise of China and US' re-balancing or pivot to Asia.

I believe that increasing competition would be inevitable in some areas. But in does not necessarily mean that competition should dominate the U.S.-China relations.

Indeed, cooperation is a constant theme when you ask two great nations' diplomats. A small beginning, but important nonetheless. Because not only US and China but also other countries, Korea included, can and will benefit greatly from US-China cooperation.

I hope that the two countries' leaders and decision-makers will not succumb to fatalism but think positively and look to the future. If the two countries get to work together, it will lay a firm basis for peace, security and prosperity in Northeast Asia.

As North Korea continues its pursuit of nuclear weapons, Northeast Asia still remains potentially volatile with unending tensions even after the end of the Cold War era. On March 30, the Foreign Ministry on North Korea issued a statement threatening that 'a new form of nuclear experiment would not be ruled out'.

North Korea is presenting direct military threats to the Republic of Korea and neighboring countries. As it undermines the very basis of the global non-proliferation regime, it must be recognized as an extremely dangerous challenge not only to Northeast Asia region, but to world the whole.

(Trustpolitik)

Let me now turn to Trustpolitik, a hallmark foreign policy of Park Geun-hye government. The Korean government believes that the lack of trust among countries in Northeast Asia is at the heart of uncertainty in this region. The lack of trust prevents us from enjoying benefits of economic integration that we have successfully achieved so far.

This is why President Park Geun-hye has adopted "Trustpolitik" as a hallmark policy. Trustpolitik does not prescribe blind trust or ideal trust. Rather Trustpolitik hopes to address the root cause while pursuing to address a host of challenges and issues from practical and policy-oriented perspectives. Our ancestors said, "Put your head above the clouds, but keep your feet on the ground. And take one step at a time."

Trustpolitik is pursued by two specific policies - Trust-building Process on the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative.

This year, the second year of the Park Geun-hye administration, we intend to embark on full implementation of the Trust-building Process and lay out specific policies. We hope to achieve positive results in some of the most pressing issues such as denuclearization of North Korea, the establishment of sustainable peace and regaining a sense of community between the peoples of two Koreas.

Of course, as you have all witnessed this week, North Korea remains somewhat uncooperative. Yes, it is an understatement. However, we are determined to continue to pursue this approach throughout the year. Regarding the Northeast Asia Peace and Co-operation Initiative, important progress has been made in the last year.

We try to build habits of dialogue and co-operation in this region, starting from issues such as the micro-dust issue, cyber security and nuclear security. Another priority issues for my government this year concerns our efforts to begin the process of preparing ourselves and neighbors better for an eventual peaceful unification on the Korean Peninsula. President Park Geun-hye, in her statement in Dresden put forward proposals for the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula.

Those proposals are ▲Agenda for humanity) Humanitarian assistance to North Korea, Holding the reunions of separated families on a regular basis, ▲Agenda of Co-prosperity) Increasing well-targeted economic infrastructure, ▲Agenda for integration) Promoting education and cultural programs to foster a sense of shared identity between the two Koreas, and ▲Agenda for Peace) Resolution of North Korean nuclear issue and pursuing sustainable peace on the Peninsula.

The peaceful reunification of Korea will bring peace and vitality not only to the Korean Peninsula but also to the whole of Northeast Asian region and will turn out to be bonanza or Glucksfall for all.

(Trilateral Co-operation)

Closer ties of cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and China had a greater significance against such a backdrop. This trilateral cooperation will create an environment conducive to peace and prosperity on the Korea Peninsula as well as Northeast Asia. Our three countries speak in on voice in saying that 'The nuclearization of North Korea is not, and will never be tolerated.'

I would like to express my sincere hope that this conference will indeed prove to be a valuable and significant event which serves to pave the

way for trilateral co-operation among South Korea, the US, China and also serves to provide invaluable insights regarding how Northeast Asia is to move forward toward a prosperous future.

As they say, "No one is as smart as all of us". I believe with all your insight and wisdom we will indeed be able to achieve a great deal together at this event. I would once again like to express my deepest gratitude to the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies, Brookings Institution, and School of international Studies, Peking University for all their hard work.

Thank you. The end.