By Kang Hyun-kyung
The top diplomats of South Korea and China met Wednesday to discuss bilateral issues but failed to narrow their differences on North Korea.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) Kim Sung-hwan and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi, however, agreed to expand high-level contacts, including Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik’s visit to China in the first half of this year, in a meeting held in Seoul Wednesday.
In opening remarks, the Chinese foreign minister stressed China will continue efforts to resume the stalled six-party talks as early as possible, hinting that there has been no change in its position on the need to restart dialogue.
Regarding this, a MOFAT official said on condition of anonymity that South Korea’s position on the nuclear talks has not changed, either. Earlier, Seoul officials called on Pyongyang to take the necessary steps to restart the six-party talks.
During the talks, Seoul and Beijing agreed to increase high-level reciprocal visits, expand military exchange programs, and prepare joint events to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.
Following Prime Minister Kim’s Beijing trip, a high-ranking Chinese official will visit Seoul this year.
This was the first time for the two sides to sit down since North Korea shelled a South Korean island near the maritime border in the West Sea last November.
China has remained silent over the uranium program since the North unveiled a brand-new facility housing 2,000 centrifuges to a visiting U.S. scientist last November. China insisted that the issue can be discussed after resuming the stalled six-party talks.
China opposes adopting an expert’s report on the uranium program condemning the North for the provocative act at the U.N. Security Council (UNSC).
The members of the UNSC met in New York Wednesday to discuss the matter.
Unlike China, South Korea and the United States have maintained that the uranium issue should be dealt with at the UNSC before restarting the nuclear talks. Given their position it is possible that Seoul and Washington believe the resumption of dialogue without giving a warning to the North about its provocations could lead to miscalculations.
The Chinese foreign minister arrived in Seoul Wednesday for a two-day visit.
Yang was initially scheduled to visit Seoul last November, but the top Chinese diplomat rescheduled his trip days after the North shelled Yeonpyeong Island.
Earlier, the two top diplomats agreed to reciprocal visits every other year from 2008. Yang visited Seoul that year and in return South Korea’s foreign minister paid a visit to China in 2009. Last year, it was China’s turn to visit Seoul.
Kim and Yang met two days after Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun met Kim Yong-nam, president of North Korea’s Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, in Pyongyang.
Xinhua News Agency reported the senior North Korean official explained to the Chinese envoy the details of his country’s efforts to develop its economy. In return, Zhang reiterated China’s support for joint development and peace and stability on the peninsula.
Yang will leave for Mongolia, Thursday.