열린장관실

(Check against Delivery)

  

"Korea's Major Security Issues and Korea-EU Cooperation"

 

* Luncheon Speech by H.E. Ban Ki-moon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea, at the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea (EUCCK) on March 19, 2004

 

 

(Introduction)

Mr. Joseph James Day, Vice-President of the EUCCK, distinguished Ambassadors of EU member states, ladies and gentlemen!

    It is my great honour and pleasure to speak before such a distinguished group of European businessmen and members of the EUCCK (European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea).  I thank Vice-President Joseph James Day for giving me this valuable opportunity.  I would also like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to the EUCCK for its efforts to promote closer economic cooperation and mutual understanding between Korea and EU countries.

    With the admission of ten more Eastern and Central European countries as new members on May 1 this year, the EU is set to gain even greater influence on world affairs.  I welcome this development, in particular since the enlargement of the EU membership will, in turn, expand the scope of cooperation between the EU and Korea.

    Today's event holds special meaning for me personally.  I still have the fond memories of delivering a luncheon speech here three years ago, in my capacity as Vice Foreign Minister.

    Today, I wish to share my thoughts on the Korean government's policies on major security issues, such as the North Korean nuclear problem, the relocation of U.S. forces in Korea and the dispatch of additional Korean troops to Iraq.  And then I will touch briefly on the EU's role in the Korean context.

 

(Domestic Political Situation)

    But before entering into our main theme today, I would like to say a few words on what probably is your foremost concern these days.  If I have guessed correctly, that is Korea's domestic political situation.

    Let me first reiterate that the temporary suspension of presidential power in the impeachment process will entail no change at all to our basic policies on foreign and economic affairs.  At this important juncture for Korea, EU countries' commitment to sustained cooperation and support is very much appreciated.

    I am glad to note that Moody's Investors Service and other major credit rating agencies have made their view clear that the current Korean political situation will not affect Korea's credit standing.  It is widely believed that the fundamentals of the Korean economy is strong enough to absorb the impact of domestic political events.

    For the past year, President Roh dealt with various state affairs with a clear vision, and emphasized the works of 'system' and 'roadmap' in implementing his vision.  This, I think, has contributed much to enhancing Korea's national capability to maintain stability in the face of what can be a potentially destabilizing development.

    Nevertheless, if Korea is to recover completely from the recent shock at the soonest possible date, the cooperation of everyone present here is essential.  Once the painful process of the on-going investigation into political campaign funding and other irregularities is over, we are confident that Korea will be reborn as a more transparent, more resilient and mature society in all aspects of our life.

 

(Korea's Policy on North Korean Nuclear Issue)

    Now, I will turn back to the first and most immediate of our security issues, which is the North Korean nuclear issue.

    The Korean Government has firmly maintained the basic tenet that this issue should be resolved peacefully through dialogue.  In pursuing a peaceful resolution of the issue, the following two principles have been guiding the Korean Government's efforts.

    First, we have worked out a roadmap which incorporates comprehensive and coordinated steps.  This approach is necessary because of the complex nature of the nuclear issue.

    Second, we have sought to set up a multilateral framework of dialogue.  This multilateral approach is vital, given the fact that North Korea's nuclear weapons program poses a threat not only to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula but also to the global non-proliferation regime.

 

(Six-Party Talks)

    The two rounds of the Six-Party Talks have proved to be very useful, reaffirming the principle of the peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue and accepting the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as the common goal.  Indeed, the second round of the Talks produced meaningful results, which laid an invaluable basis for future progress.

    First, for the first time in the Six-Party Talks process, the participating countries adopted an agreed document in the form of the Chairman's Statement.

    Second, they consolidated the groundwork for continuing the process of dialogue by agreeing to set up the inter-sessional Working Group and agreeing upon the venue, which is Beijing, and time-frame for the next meeting, which is within the first half of this year.  Agreements on these points were indeed an important step forward towards institutionalizing the dialogue process.

    Third, there were substantive discussions on ways to achieve progress towards the resolution of the nuclear issue.  The participants countries engaged in serious discussions on the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement, or what we call the CVID, of North Korea's nuclear programs and relevant coordinated steps.

    Immediately after the second round of the Six-Party Talks, I made visits to the U.S. and Japan.

    During my trip to the U.S., President Bush kindly received me for more than half an hour, and I had the opportunity to discuss this and other important issues with Secretary Powell, Secretary Rumsfeld and other leaders in the Congress and Administration.  President Bush reaffirmed his unswerving commitment to a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue through dialogue. Secretary Powell and I shared the view that we had produced a positive result from the second round of the Six-Party Talks, and agreed to continue closer consultations.

    In my subsequent visit to Japan, this positive assessment of the outcome of the Talks was also shared by both Prime Minister Koizumi and Foreign Minister Kawaguchi. They promised to make continued efforts for close coordination based on our common approach to this issue.

    Later this month, I am planning to visit China, and then Russia sometime in the near future, with the aim of ensuring that both countries continue to play constructive roles in the upcoming talks.

    As we make preparations to make substantive progress at the third round, we face two challenges.

    First, North Korea should provide clarification on its HEU program and commit to the "complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement (CVID)" of all nuclear programs, including the HEU program. In return, the other participating countries will have to work out corresponding measures, such as multilateral security assurances.

    Second, we should hold the Working Group Meeting at the earliest possible date to further consolidate the foundation for the main talks.

    The Korean Government is playing an active role to launch the Working Group meeting at an early date. In this regard, Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Soo-hyuck, Korea's chief delegate to the Six-Party Talks, visited China earlier this week for consultations on the early convening of the Working Group and the plenary meeting.

    My Government will continue its efforts in coordination with other participating countries to resolve all nuclear issues, including the HEU program, through dialogue.  I am confident that we can achieve our ultimate goal of realizing the denuclearized Korean Peninsula. However, this is a process that will require patience and determination. The cooperation of our friends in the international community in this regard, including that of the EU, is imperative.

 

(Relocation of U.S. forces in Korea)

    One of the new kind of security issues Korea has to deal with wisely is the relocation of U.S. forces in Korea.

    Korea and the U.S. began the meetings of the "Future of the ROK-U.S. Alliance Policy Initiative (FOTA)" in 2003, in order to realize the vision for our future alliance and reach an agreement on the relocation of the U.S. forces in Korea.

    Both countries fully recognize the need to adapt the Korea-U.S. alliance to the changing global security environment and utilize advances in military technology. And both Governments agree that the relocation of U.S. forces from the Seoul metropolitan area will be implemented in a way that strengthens the combined defense capabilities on the Korean Peninsula.

    On the basis of this common understanding, both countries will make efforts to produce within this year a mutually acceptable document to implement the relocation.

 

(Dispatch of Korean Troops to Iraq)

    Now let me move on to a broader scene. With the widening of Korea's diplomatic horizons, my Government is participating more actively in international cooperation on regional and global issues.

    Korea's decision to dispatch additional troops to Iraq is one good example. When the Korean government dispatches 3,000 more soldiers, Korea will rank third, after the U.S. and the U.K., in the numbers of troops stationed in Iraq.  In addition, the Korean Government has earmarked 260 million US dollars to support the rehabilitation efforts of the Iraqi people.

    These measures are being taken to repay the help which Koreans have received from the international community. We hope that our contributions will be of great help to the Iraqi people in their efforts to reconstruct their country, revive the economy, and establish a stable democratic country.

    We are convinced that the Korean Government's assistance to Iraq will contribute to peace and stability in Iraq and the Middle East.

 

(The EU's Contribution)

Distinguished Guests!

    Let us now consider what the EU has done, and can do in the future, in cooperation with Korea.  The EU has been one of the most active supporters of Korea's position on security issues.

    Since the nuclear problem erupted in the 1990's, the EU has closely cooperated with us and played its own part in finding a peaceful resolution. Through various channels, the EU has delivered a strong message to North Korea that it must give up its nuclear program and agree to a peaceful resolution.  We appreciate what the EU has done to show North Korea that dialogue is the way to secure support for a bright and prosperous future for all.

    On a more general level, the EU's engagement in dialogue and exchanges with Pyongyang is highly appreciated, as it will encourage North Korea onto the path of openness and cooperation.  In this regard, it is noteworthy that Ireland established diplomatic relations with North Korea last year. I also welcome the EUCCK's opening of its 'corresponding office' in Pyongyang to provide North Korea with business promotion services and training in the market economy.  I am convinced that the EU's activities will greatly help to foster the conditions conducive to North Korea's move toward openness and cooperation with the outside world.

 

(EU's Model and Peace and Prosperity Policy)

    The progress in European integration has been one of the most remarkable achievements in the modern world history.  The EU has transformed relations ridden with destructive rivalry and conflicts into ones of peace and harmony, and that was done through mature diplomacy and compromise.

    I believe that Korea also has much to learn from the historical precedent set by Europe.  My Government has a vision that the success achieved in resolving the nuclear issue by a multilateral forum may produce positive impetus for our efforts to establish a permanent mechanism for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in the region as a whole.

    It is in this context that the Korean government is pursuing the“Peace and Prosperity Policy”, which aims to promote permanent peace and common prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.    This policy is based on the premise that the more interdependent North Korea becomes with the outside network, the more will it benefit by following international norms.

    My government's programs for people-to-people exchanges and economic cooperation with North Korea may expand with progress in the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue.

 

(Bilateral Relations between the EU and Korea)

    Since the establishment of diplomatic ties four decades ago, Korea-EU relations have developed into a mature partnership we enjoy today. I am pleased to note that, in this era of deepening interdependence, a strong partnership between the EU and Korea continues to be nurtured.  Our shared values of democracy and the market economy provide a firm basis on which such a partnership can flourish.

    The bilateral trade volume between us reached about 44 billion US dollars last year, and the EU became the largest foreign investor in Korea. This rapid increase in trade and investment serves as solid ground for closer cooperation on security issues. Furthermore, the EU enlargement will generate further momentum and reasons for Korea to expand cooperation in every field.

    In this regard, I have high expectations that the upcoming ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting in April and ASEM summit in October will provide an invaluable opportunity to expand the mutually rewarding relationship.  We also look forward to preparing for the President's visit to Europe in the near future, to forge still stronger bonds of mutual cooperation and dynamic partnership with an integrated Europe.

 

(Closing)

    Now, before closing my speech, let me emphasize once again, that the Korean government will be constant in its endeavors to address various major security issues, including the consolidation of the ROK-US alliance, our policy toward North Korea and the Six-Party Talks.

    I can assure you that the Korean government is committed to maintaining social stability, economic dynamism and national security, and to restoring normalcy as soon as possible.

    So let me finish by stating my conclusion today, which is: You can be sure of the consistent management of your investments and business relations in Korea, as ever.

    Thank you very much for your attention.  

 

/End/