By Kim Tae-gyu
THE HAGUE — Unification of the two Koreas is a very complex equation.
Not just the two Koreas but also four big powers — the United States, China, Russia and Japan — want a say in the future of the two states.
Against this background, Chinese President Xi Jinping triggered a degree of speculation during his summit with President Park Geun-hye by stating, "We support the independent, peaceful unification of Korea."
The statement consisted of a combination of terms used by South and North Korea. Pyongyang always talks about unification independent of outside forces; while Seoul wants peaceful unification.
The safe bet is that Xi's remarks represent a change of rhetoric, and some observers are cautious, trying not to attach too much significance to them.
They want to see action before acknowledging a change.
But others are attempting to give him the benefit of the doubt regarding the issue.
This attitude is influenced by Park's initiative for unification.
Before the summit, she talked openly about its benefits, while launching a committee to promote it. This could be a risky move considering the uncertainty of politics on the Korean peninsula. But she obviously felt tempted to give it a go as any contribution toward unification will be remembered as an achievement in any presidential legacy.
Her predecessors tried, but without much success.
Park may have seen her chance in a changing China that is trying to transform from a regional to a global power.
Under Xi, Beijing has dropped hints that it wants a change, and is no longer prepared to play the role of guardian to the problem child of the East.
Expectations over Seoul-Beijing ties are rising because Xi has not held a meeting with North Korea's young dictator Kim Jong-un. The Monday summit was the fourth between Park and Xi.
Seoul's positive interpretation is based on the assumption that, if bilateral ties improve, China will have fewer fears about the ROK-U.S. alliance, warming up to the possibility that it can expose its flanks to a united Korea.
"Beijing wouldn't want to see U.S. soldiers move north of the 38th Parallel to its border at all. It would strive to keep its buffer zone of North Korea against the U.S.," said Jang Yong-seok, a senior researcher at the Institute of Peace and Unification Studies affiliated with Seoul National University
"In this sense, the chances are that Xi's statements are diplomatic rhetoric for President Park, who has stressed the significance of bringing the two Koreas together."
Some counter that China is really changing.
"You saw China proactively take part in the sanctions against the North after the latter's third nuclear test. This was unprecedented," said a professor at a Seoul university who asked not to be named.
"China seems to be changing its North Korea policy, possibly affected by Park's efforts to persuade Xi. Plus, Xi appears to trust Park."
Of note was Xi's exceptionally friendly attitude toward Park at their fourth meeting since the two leaders took office early last year.
THE HAGUE — Unification of the two Koreas is a very complex equation.
Not just the two Koreas but also four big powers — the United States, China, Russia and Japan — want a say in the future of the two states.
Against this background, Chinese President Xi Jinping triggered a degree of speculation during his summit with President Park Geun-hye by stating, "We support the independent, peaceful unification of Korea."
The statement consisted of a combination of terms used by South and North Korea. Pyongyang always talks about unification independent of outside forces; while Seoul wants peaceful unification.
The safe bet is that Xi's remarks represent a change of rhetoric, and some observers are cautious, trying not to attach too much significance to them.
They want to see action before acknowledging a change.
But others are attempting to give him the benefit of the doubt regarding the issue.
This attitude is influenced by Park's initiative for unification.
Before the summit, she talked openly about its benefits, while launching a committee to promote it. This could be a risky move considering the uncertainty of politics on the Korean peninsula. But she obviously felt tempted to give it a go as any contribution toward unification will be remembered as an achievement in any presidential legacy.
Her predecessors tried, but without much success.
Park may have seen her chance in a changing China that is trying to transform from a regional to a global power.
Under Xi, Beijing has dropped hints that it wants a change, and is no longer prepared to play the role of guardian to the problem child of the East.
Expectations over Seoul-Beijing ties are rising because Xi has not held a meeting with North Korea's young dictator Kim Jong-un. The Monday summit was the fourth between Park and Xi.
Seoul's positive interpretation is based on the assumption that, if bilateral ties improve, China will have fewer fears about the ROK-U.S. alliance, warming up to the possibility that it can expose its flanks to a united Korea.
"Beijing wouldn't want to see U.S. soldiers move north of the 38th Parallel to its border at all. It would strive to keep its buffer zone of North Korea against the U.S.," said Jang Yong-seok, a senior researcher at the Institute of Peace and Unification Studies affiliated with Seoul National University
"In this sense, the chances are that Xi's statements are diplomatic rhetoric for President Park, who has stressed the significance of bringing the two Koreas together."
Some counter that China is really changing.
"You saw China proactively take part in the sanctions against the North after the latter's third nuclear test. This was unprecedented," said a professor at a Seoul university who asked not to be named.
"China seems to be changing its North Korea policy, possibly affected by Park's efforts to persuade Xi. Plus, Xi appears to trust Park."
Of note was Xi's exceptionally friendly attitude toward Park at their fourth meeting since the two leaders took office early last year.
