열린장관실

주한외교단 초청 오찬 연설문

2011.3.3(목) 12:00
하얏트호텔 리젠시룸

  His Excellency Vitali Fen, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Distinguished Ambassadors, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to have this opportunity to share my views on the topic of "Challenges to Peace and Stability on the Korean Peninsula."

  Let me start with a glimpse into the current inner workings of the North Korean regime.

  North Korea is currently focusing on the early stabilization of the succession process and exploitation of economic gains as it approaches 2012, the proclaimed target year for "opening the gates to a strong and prosperous nation."

At present, Kim Jong-il seems to be attempting to show that he does not have any problems with his health by vigorously making public appearances and continues to maintain a firm grip on the Party, Military and Government.

  As for power succession to his son Kim Jong-eun, idolization and heir-grooming activities are under way. 

Against this backdrop, the North Korean regime is increasing control over its society to block the influx of outside information.

  On the economic front, North Korea’s "New Year’s Joint Editorial" stressed the improvement of the people’s living conditions as the main policy goal for the second consecutive year in a row, and announced the "10-Year State Strategy Plan for Economic Development." 
Yet, North Korea has not been able to present any fundamental solutions to its grave economic troubles through reforms and opening up.

  North Korea has recently been making a full-fledged request to the international community for food assistance despite a WFP/FAO report published last November stating that the total annual food production has actually increased compared to the previous year.

  What has pushed North Korea into such a dire economic situation?

It is a combination of system and statecraft failure; namely, the failed currency re-denomination, an unsustainable distribution system, and priority allotment of resources to WMD development and so on.

  Under such political and economic circumstances, many wonder how North Korea could possibly achieve its declared goal of "opening the gates to a strong and prosperous nation" by 2012. 

One may be able to find North Korea's answer to this question from the "10-Year State Strategy Plan for Economic Development" announced in January. 

It states that North Korea will "lay the foundations for the country to emerge as a thriving nation in 2012 and open a bright prospect for the country to rank itself among the advanced countries in 2020." 

With this, the North Korean regime may attempt to send an indirect signal to its people that the improvements in living conditions may not be met as promised. 
This may be interpreted as indicating that North Korea is practically admitting its own limitations.

  Facing a situation in which it is difficult to fulfill its promise, North Korea may be most likely to pursue a "double-sided tactic." 

While attempting to attribute the economic failure to international pressure and sanctions it continues to appeal to the international community for assistance. 

At the same time, it is seeking to increase the level of external tension and further tighten internal control over its people.

  As for relations between South and North Korea, since the beginning of this year, the North has waged a disguised "peace offensive" toward the ROK by demanding dialogue in all fields of inter-Korean relations such as the Geumgang Mountain Tourism Project, Gaesong Industrial Complex, Red Cross Talks, Government-level talks, Parliamentary Talks, etc.

In response, my government made a counter-proposal to discuss fundamental security issues such as the Cheonan and Yeonpyong-do attacks as well as the denuclearization of North Korea, leading to a preliminary military meeting at the working-level in early February. 

However, North Korea failed to demonstrate a sincere attitude to the dialogue, abruptly walking out of the meeting on the second day of the talks.

  Such behavior by North Korea clearly demonstrates that the intentions behind its "peace offensive" are merely to get what it wants from the international community by giving the impression that North Korea is making efforts toward dialogue.

  North Korea's lack of sincerity has once again been illustrated by its abrupt shift to an aggressive attitude last week as it announced that it would directly strike ROK targets in the Imjingak area.

  Certainly, North Korea needs to maintain a certain level of tension with the outside world in order to ensure internal solidarity amidst its on-going power succession and persistent economic hardships. 

Such behavior on the part of North Korea is consistent with the historic pattern of "provocation ? dialogue ? provocation" and thus we cannot rule out the possibility of further provocations from North Korea.

  Even with North Korea's failure to engage in sincere dialogue with us, my government remains consistent in our principled approach to the North. 

We will continue the "two-track approach."  While we maintain a firm defense readiness posture to deter further North Korean provocations, we continue to pursue sincere dialogue with North Korea to achieve genuine improvements in inter-Korean relations.

 Meanwhile, the revelation of a uranium enrichment facility last November has opened a new and disturbing chapter in the North Korean nuclear issue, further complicating our task of realizing complete and verifiable denuclearization.

  Pyongyang has claimed, through several public statements, that it is pursuing uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes. 

However, this claim is neither credible nor justifiable, given North Korea's longstanding and flagrant track record of violating international non-proliferation obligations, including two nuclear tests.

  Without doubt, North Korea's UEP is a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and contrary to the commitments undertaken by North Korea in the 2005 Joint Statement. 

Creating dangerous opportunities for a determined proliferator, North Korea's UEP also represents a further challenge to the international non-proliferation regime, jeopardizing its very raison d'etre.

  Indeed, North Korea's UEP reminds us that Pyongyang is determined to push ahead with its nuclear ambitions despite the international community's calls for denuclearization.

Thus, it is imperative that in a unified voice we declare North Korea's UEP to be a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and urge Pyongyang to cease all related activities. 

Failure to address this issue in a manner commensurate with its seriousness would send conflicting signals regarding our willingness to curb Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.
  The ROK will work closely with our partners and friends to ensure a strong and resolute response to North Korea's UEP. 

By doing so, we intend to send the message that the international community will not bend its position on denuclearization and to dissuade North Korea from seeking the further development of its nuclear programs.

  At the same time, we will also continue our efforts to persuade Pyongyang through dialogue to depart from its misguided nuclear policies. 

Through inter-Korean contacts as a starting point, we will find out whether Pyongyang is willing and prepared to abandon its nuclear programs. 

We will also continue to cooperate with our partners to foster an atmosphere for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks until North Korea demonstrates sincerity toward denuclearization through its actions.

  Addressing the challenges posed by North Korea's nuclear programs, including UEP, should be an essential part of the international community's efforts to promote regional peace and security. 

And once the Six-Party Talks resume, my government will pursue a comprehensive resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue based on the Grand Bargain initiative.

  Two days ago through the March 1st Independence Movement Day Address,
President Lee Myung-bak sent a clear message to North Korea with hopes of resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and establishing lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

  President Lee urged North Korea to “join the new wave of peace and common prosperity in Northeast Asia.” 

He also urged North Korea to “step forward for serious dialogue and cooperation" through dialogue instead of nuclear weapons and missiles, and through responsible actions instead of armed provocations. 

Furthermore, President Lee stated that "now is the opportune time to open a new future for the Korean Peninsula" and that we are "ready to engage in dialogue with the North at any time with an open mind."

  President Lee reconfirmed my government's consistent policy toward North Korea.

We sincerely hope that the North will respond positively to President Lee's message.

  In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to ask for your continued support and assistance in persuading North Korea to make the strategic decision to move away from the brink and join the international community as a responsible member to establish lasting peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Northeast Asian region by resolving grave challenges in the region including the North Korean nuclear issue.
  Thank you.  /End/