By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
South Korea has been reviewing China's promised assistance to North Korea, which includes the construction of a large bridge, in order to determine whether it violates U.N. sanctions, according to a local report Wednesday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, however, said it did not ask China to explain the implications the offer would have on U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874.
The resolution, adopted after Pyongyang conducted a nuclear test last May, puts greater pressure on the communist state, such as economic and commercial sanctions, and the permit to search North Korean cargo.
During his three-day visit to Pyongyang this week, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao promised to provide North Korea with $20 million worth of assistance, including food and crude oil, and the cost of building a bridge crossing the Yalu River.
Construction of the bridge is expected to cost 172 billion won ($147 million).
The ministry said it was debriefed by Chinese officials on Wen's North Korea visit, though it had not made such a request.
"Our understanding is that China, as a U.N. permanent member, maintains the existing stance to fully implement the U.N. sanctions," ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young said.
A senior ministry official said that China would not take actions that go against the U.N. sanctions.
"China has already commented on the U.N. sanctions and has played its expected role as the chair country of the six-party talks. So, China, in my judgment, would not act against the sanctions," he said on condition of anonymity.
China has supported the U.N. measures despite its traditionally amicable ties with North Korea.
Wen met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il Monday during his visit to attend a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
He offered the assistance as part of efforts to maintain relations. Kim indicated that his regime would return to the six-way forum.
Kim reportedly said Pyongyang was ready to hold multilateral talks, depending on the outcome of North Korea-U.S. talks.
The secretive state has long sought a two-way dialogue with the United States as part of a plan to break through its current economic predicament and isolation from the international community.