Korea to focus on keeping Korean Peninsula stable

Korea's foreign ministry said Thursday that it will put its diplomatic focus this year on helping maintain the stability of the Korean Peninsula, as North Korea is undergoing the sensitive transition of dynastic power to its young leader Kim Jong-un.

Since the Dec. 17 death of the North's longtime leader Kim Jong-il, the transfer of power to Kim Jong-un has seemed to be running smoothly. However, experts remain doubtful over whether the power transfer to the inexperienced leader will be stable.

"The main goal of diplomatic policies this year is the stable management of the situation on the Korean Peninsula," the ministry said in a 2012 policy document briefed to President Lee Myung-bak.

"To that end, the government will strengthen cooperation with involved nations, including the United States, China, Russia and Japan," the ministry said in the document.

Little is known about the North's new leader, who is believed to be in his late 20s. The succession process has been shrouded in secrecy. Many analysts have warned that Kim Jong-un may launch a provocation this year to consolidate his grip on power and demonstrate his empowerment.

On the stalled six-nation talks to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program in return for economic aid, the ministry said it will continue to make efforts for the North to take sincere steps toward a resumption of the multilateral forum.

Diplomatic efforts to resume the six-party talks gained momentum last year, but the death of Kim left prospects for the talks uncertain.

The multilateral talks, which involve the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the U.S., have been dormant since late 2008.

Days before Kim died of a heart attack, North Korea and the U.S. held talks in Beijing. Pyongyang had been poised to announce an agreement with Washington to suspend its uranium enrichment program and accept U.N. nuclear monitors in exchange for food aid.

Such moves by North Korea were preconditions set by South Korea and the U.S. for resuming the six-party talks. (Yonhap)