By Chung Min-uck
Korea’s new ambassador to China said Wednesday he will bolster cooperation with Beijing in pressing North Korea to scrap its nuclear programs and return to the negotiating table.
He said China has signaled a change in its policies towards Pyongyang.
“Looking at how China implemented sanctions based on the U.N. Resolutions adopted against North Korea, I feel some sense of a change in China’s North Korean policy,” said Kwon Young-se, the newly-designated ambassador in an interview. “However, it’s hard to conclude that China’s position has altered fundamentally. I will try hard to convince China to be on the same page with South Korea.”
In a departure from its previous stance to keep neutral about the international community’s efforts to punish the North for its rocket launches and nuclear tests, China actively joined the international implementation of U.N. mandated sanctions.
In an unprecedented move, the Bank of China, the leading state-owned bank, officially announced the closure of its dealings with the Foreign Trade Bank of North Korea on May 7.
Beijing is considered the only country with any meaningful influence over Pyongyang, as a key provider of economic assistance and diplomatic support.
“China’s position is as important as the U.S. in resolving North Korea issues,” Kwon said.
Kwon further said the upcoming Seoul-Beijing summit will help “upgrade” bilateral relations.
He said the joint vision to be adopted during President Park Geun-hye’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled for next month would be a comprehensive one on security, diplomacy, the economy and culture.
Their meeting is also expected to focus on North Korea as Pyongyang signaled a willingness for dialogue when its envoy met with Xi last week.
Kwon, a three-term-lawmaker, played a key role in Park’s presidential election campaign as chief general strategist.
He will take up his post on June 3.