By Choi Hyun-soo
China's ambassador to Korea said on Tuesday that North Korea should be regarded as an ordinary member of the international community.
"As diplomat Kang Sok-ju from the North's Workers' Party visited Europe, it is a sign of an active foreign policy," Ambassador Qiu Guohong said during an alumni breakfast meeting of Korea University's Communication Studies graduate school. "I support enhanced relations between the North and European states."
Qiu attended the breakfast meeting as a guest.
He also mentioned the possibility of a China-North Korea summit.
"We have maintained proper bilateral relations with the North," said Qiu, adding that there had been meetings in the past. "I believe Kim Jong-un can visit China soon."
On North Korea's nuclear program, the envoy said the denuclearization policy should remain in place and that the six-party talks should resume.
"China is firm in its stance on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," said the ambassador. "That's why it is very important that the six-party talks resume, so we can discuss such issues together."
As a first step, Qiu said the countries concerned would need to work together in a reasonable manner to resolve the nuclear weapons issue.
With regard to the relationship among Korea, China and Japan, Qiu called for sincere efforts on the part of Japan.
"Japan has the key that can start the engine of the trilateral meeting," he said. "The one who has untied the knot must retie it," he added.
With the United Nations General Assembly taking place in New York City, Qiu did not comment on whether there would be a trilateral foreign ministers' meeting on the sidelines.
"I think it's unpredictable," Qiu told reporters. "It depends on how Japan acts on the history issue."
On the subject of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Korea in July, Qiu said it was rare for a Chinese leader to visit only South Korea, without traveling to North Korea.
"This shows how important China-Korea relations are to Xi and other officials," the ambassador added.
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| Ambassador Qiu Guohong |
"As diplomat Kang Sok-ju from the North's Workers' Party visited Europe, it is a sign of an active foreign policy," Ambassador Qiu Guohong said during an alumni breakfast meeting of Korea University's Communication Studies graduate school. "I support enhanced relations between the North and European states."
Qiu attended the breakfast meeting as a guest.
He also mentioned the possibility of a China-North Korea summit.
"We have maintained proper bilateral relations with the North," said Qiu, adding that there had been meetings in the past. "I believe Kim Jong-un can visit China soon."
On North Korea's nuclear program, the envoy said the denuclearization policy should remain in place and that the six-party talks should resume.
"China is firm in its stance on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," said the ambassador. "That's why it is very important that the six-party talks resume, so we can discuss such issues together."
As a first step, Qiu said the countries concerned would need to work together in a reasonable manner to resolve the nuclear weapons issue.
With regard to the relationship among Korea, China and Japan, Qiu called for sincere efforts on the part of Japan.
"Japan has the key that can start the engine of the trilateral meeting," he said. "The one who has untied the knot must retie it," he added.
With the United Nations General Assembly taking place in New York City, Qiu did not comment on whether there would be a trilateral foreign ministers' meeting on the sidelines.
"I think it's unpredictable," Qiu told reporters. "It depends on how Japan acts on the history issue."
On the subject of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Korea in July, Qiu said it was rare for a Chinese leader to visit only South Korea, without traveling to North Korea.
"This shows how important China-Korea relations are to Xi and other officials," the ambassador added.
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