열린장관실

 Prospect for Multilateral

Security Cooperation in

Northeast Asia

 

 

Geneva Center for Security Policy

Public Discussion

 

 20 June 2006

 

 

H.E. Ban Ki-moon

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Republic of Korea

 

 

 

Mr. Fred Tanner, Acting Director of the Geneva Center for Security Policy, Ambassdor Juerg Streuli, esteemed faculty of the Center, distinguished members of the diplomatic corps and the press, ladies and gentlemen,

 

It gives me great pleasure to be here at the Geneva Center for Security Policy.  This prestigious forum has been host to many eminent speakers and leaders.  I am honored to be among their ranks, and I thank you for the kind invitation. 

 

Just by looking around the room, I can sense the highest standards of intellectual debate that the Center is so well known for.  The clarity and beauty of Lake Leman, I think, must have been transfused into the work of the Center.  I hope to learn much from the discussion that will follow my statement on the security situation in Northeast Asia and on the Korean peninsula.

 

<The Situation in Northeast Asia>

 

The security landscape in Northeast Asia is in a flux, reflecting the on-going socio-economic transformation of the region during the recent decades.  In contrast to Europe where economic integration and multilateral security cooperation have advanced far, Northeast Asia is at an embryonic stage in these fields.  Indeed, when it comes to regional integration, it can be said that Europe and Northeast Asia are at the opposite ends of the scale.  Northeast Asia has a long way to go, in traveling the path that Europe has so wisely charted toward greater peace and prosperity. 

 

Though accounting for only a smaller number of countries, Northeast Asia is a complex and evolving region.  During the decades of the Cold War, the countries of the region remained divided by the East-West ideological confrontation.  But with the passing of the Cold War, they have quickly moved to normalize and expand relations with one another.  Furthermore, with on-going globalization and the spread of the market economy, they have come to be bound together in deepening interdependence. People-to-people and cultural exchanges are thriving, and the scope of cooperation and mutual understanding is ever widening.

 

However, not everything is so positive.  There continue to be a number of  destabilizing factors: the North Korean nuclear issue, the Taiwan issue, issues of past history, increasing nationalistic sentiment among the public in some countries, and territorial disputes in the region.  These are difficult challenges with far-reaching implications for peace and prosperity in the region.  Without quick solutions emerging on the horizon, they must thus be managed and handled with great care and wisdom.  In the meantime, we must harness the growing forces for interdependence into positive energy for the forging of a shared sense of purpose and destiny.    

 

At the core of this task lies the question of how the countries in the region will maintain and expand harmonious relations with a rising China.  What does the rise of China mean to the region and the world as a whole?  The question has kindled partisan emotions as well as rational analysis.  Some see the glass half full, some see it as half empty.  I see it as more than half full.  China’s rise is basically a positive phenomenon.

 

Continued economic expansion in China presents opportunities for economic growth in the region and beyond, and opens new ways for cooperation.  China has played a constructive role in the management and resolution of major challenges, most notably the North Korean nuclear issue.  Within the framework of such bodies as ASEAN+3 and APEC, China has also been playing a constructive role in promoting cooperation in the region.

 

What is important in this time of transition is an accurate and objective grasp of the security implications of a rising power. History tells us that perceptions can be self-fulfilling in relations among nations.  Exaggerated perceptions of and overreaction to potential threats have often triggered a vicious circle of mistrust and have led to conflicts and even wars. 

 

Alleviating misperceptions and building trust through continuous, comprehensive dialogue should be a daily endeavor for the countries of the region.  This is all the more necessary, as history still has a strong grip on Northeast Asia.  Sixty years after the end of World War II, issues relating to the tragic past are still holding back the countries of the region from marching into the future.   If they are to build a new order of reconciliation and cooperation in the region, all must fully come to terms with the past.  

 

<The Situation on the Korean Peninsula>

 

The North Korean nuclear issue represents a serious security challenge in  Northeast Asia and beyond.  The ROK government has been making every effort to resolve the issue through the Six-Party Talks.  The Talks have stalled since November of last year, but we are making every effort, in close cooperation with other parties, to resume the Talks at an early date.   

 

In recent weeks, North Korea’s missile launch preparations have also raised concern.  My government is closely following the situation in close consultation with others.  We believe that a missile test launch by North Korea would have a deeply negative impact on the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia.  We have repeatedly conveyed our serious concern to the North.     

 

In the meantime, inter-Korean relations have steadily progressed. The current ROK government has expanded inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation.  Most noteworthy for their impact and implication have been the  construction of a South-North joint industrial complex just north of the DMZ, the Mt. Geumgang Tourism Project, the connection of the inter-Korean railroads, and reunions for families separated across the South and North.  

 

In the military field, steps have been taken for the easing of tensions.  For example, talks between generals of the two sides have been held a number of times, hotlines have been set up between the naval authorities of the two sides, and both sides have ceased propaganda activities along the DMZ.  

 

In engaging North Korea, we have tried to make sure that the expansion in inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation is helpful to the efforts in search of peaceful solutions to security concerns, including the North Korean nuclear issue.  It is our firm belief that the foundation for a lasting peace and prosperity on the Korean peninsula and in Northeast Asia is made stronger by efforts to encourage reform and openness in North Korea.

 

<Northeast Asian Multilateral Security Cooperation>

 

Let us now explore the feasibility of multilateral security cooperation in Northeast Asia.  The strategic and economic importance of this region for the whole world is undisputed.  Meanwhile, as mentioned before, the region is in transition, with much fluidity and uncertainty.  The fluidity should be managed with a view to engendering multilateral security cooperation.  

 

This has been the view of my government, which has made promoting multilateral security cooperation in Northeast Asia as one of the top  priorities in its foreign and security policy.  History makes us a strong proponent of the multilateral approach for win-win solutions to security challenges.  Throughout the centuries, Korea has fallen victim to the struggles for hegemony among the big powers in the region.  Lasting peace and stability in the region, undergirded by a multilateral cooperation framework, is essential if we are to ensure that the same history is not repeated.   

 

In the pursuit of multilateral cooperation in Northeast Asia, there is no better frame of reference than the historical precedent set by Europe.  In my speech at the OSCE Ministerial Council last year, I made clear my hope that the success of security cooperation attained by the OSCE may serve as a model for Northeast Asia.  The OSCE succeeded in bringing down the barriers of mistrust which had divided the countries of Europe during the Cold War era.  It institutionalized security dialogue among all the countries of Europe, leading to a greater level of mutual understanding and military transparency.  It paved the way for the peaceful integration of Europe we see today.

 

In order to bring about a similar course of events in Northeast Asia, we must take full advantage of the growing ties of interdependence in the region.  We must also build upon the positive experiences so far.  For example, track 1 and track 2 multilateral security consultations in the larger Asia-Pacific region have become vibrant in such bodies as the ARF (ASEAN Regional Forum), NEACD (Northeast Asia Cooperation Dialogue) and CSCAP (Council for Security Cooperation in Asia Pacific).  These have contributed to nurturing the practice of dialogue among the countries of Northeast Asia.

 

The Six-Party Talks on the North Korean nuclear issue also hold much  promise for the formation of a mechanism for multilateral security cooperation in Northeast Asia.  In the Joint Statement adopted in September last year, the countries participating in the Six-Party Talks agreed to explore together ways to promote multilateral security cooperation in the region.  It will take time to arrive at a full, peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue.  But once the Talks pick up speed in implementing the Joint Statement, the momentum will also be generated for the evolution of a more permanent multilateral security cooperation mechanism.    

 

Such a multilateral regime would play a constructive role in terms of building mutual trust and confidence. Furthermore, it will allow for in-depth discussions on such regional issues as transparency in military build-ups, as well as global issues such as terrorism and WMD non-proliferation.

 

It must be pointed out that in the current context of Northeast Asia, multilateral security cooperation could not and indeed should not replace the existing alliance-centered security cooperation.  For the Republic of Korea, a multilateral security cooperation regime would complement the US-ROK alliance that remains as strong as ever.  Having served as the bulwark of peace and security on the Korean peninsula for fifty years, the alliance is now readjusting to the changing times.    

 

<Conclusion>

 

Multilateral security cooperation is the way forward to obtain greater peace and shared prosperity not only on the Korean Peninsula but in Northeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific as a whole.  But knowing the way is one thing, having the political will and courage to travel it is another.       

 

In Europe, at the urging of leaders with vision, all the countries pulled together, reconciling with the past to forge bonds of cooperation with steady political determination.  Europe has become a community in which peace, cooperation, and reconciliation are the order of the day.  It provides the model which Northeast Asia and other regions aspire to emulate.  

 

In many ways, Korea is a country of unique accomplishments as well as unique challenges.  You need only to look at the map of Northeast Asia to see that the country is indeed in a unique position as a geopolitical link between a continental landmass and a great ocean.  In the past, the country suffered a great deal because of the location.  In the present and future, we aspire to turn it into an advantage and asset as we promote the sense of community in the region.  

 

Korea’s uniqueness can also be found as a prime beneficiary and proponent of multilateralism, as embodied in the United Nations system.  Indeed, the Republic of Korea is a rare success story in the sixty years of UN efforts to promote peace and security, development and human rights and the rule of law around the world. 

 

Having experienced war and managed stability for half a century, having achieved the transition from poverty to affluence, from authoritarian rule to democracy, the country has undergone the full spectrum of challenges that is on the agenda of the UN.  And we are earnest in contributing to the work of the organization with our experience.

 

It is in this context that I was nominated by my government as a candidate to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations.  During the past months, I have promoted my candidacy with humility, presenting my thoughts and listening to the views of others on the current challenges facing the UN and the international community.  I have learned a great deal through meetings with my counterparts and public audiences.  But I am sure that one of the most enriching experiences will be the one to follow in the exchange of views with the audience here today at the GCSP.  Thank you for your kind attention.             /end/