Park invites NK to join peace dialogue

South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye addresses a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday. Behind her are Vice President Joe Biden, left, and House Speaker John Boehner. / AP-Yonhap

President reveals Northeast Asian initiative in speech to US Congress

By Kim Tae-gyu

WASHINGTON ― President Park Geun-hye invited North Korea to take part in a peace regime in Northeast Asia in a speech to a joint meeting of the United States Congress, Wednesday.

“I propose an initiative for peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia. We cannot afford to put off a multilateral dialogue process in Northeast Asia,” Park said in the 40-minute address.

“Together, the United States and other Northeast Asian partners could start with softer issues. These include environmental issues and disaster relief … Of course, North Korea could also be invited to join.”

Park is seeking to build trust among Northeast Asian countries in order for them to expand cooperation at a time when the U.S. is rebalancing toward the Asia-Pacific region.

However, she reaffirmed her principle that aggression would not be tolerated; urging Pyongyang to realize its trademark brinkmanship will not benefit it.

In the speech delivered in English Park said: “The pattern is all too familiar ― and badly misguided. North Korea provokes a crisis. The international community imposes a certain period of sanctions.

“Later, it tries to patch things up by offering concessions and rewards. Meanwhile, Pyongyang uses that time to advance its nuclear capabilities. And uncertainty prevails. It is time to put an end to this vicious cycle.”

Park also called on the North to abandon its nuclear ambitions to survive and thrive by confirming that “Seoul will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea” and “Pyongyang’s provocations will be met decisively.”

The North carried out its third atomic test on Feb. 12 and despite the resultant U.N. sanctions, the self-proclaimed “full-fledged nuclear power” continues to seek to develop nuclear arms.

“The leadership in Pyongyang must make no mistake. Security does not come from nuclear weapons. Security comes when the lives of people are improved,” the President said.

She called on the North to “make the right choice” and walk the path to becoming a responsible member in the community of nations.

“A world without nuclear weapons ― President Obama’s vision ― must start on the Korean Peninsula. For the peninsula is home to the only divided nation-state and directly faces the threat of nuclear weapons,” Park said.

She stressed the need to revise the Atomic Energy Agreement between the two countries, pledging her country will remain committed to the principle of nonproliferation.

“In this regard, we need a modernized, mutually beneficial successor to our existing civil nuclear agreement. Such an accord will bring huge benefits to related industries in both our countries,” Park said.

The President added that ties between the long-time allies will develop to the next level.

“Today, our alliance is called upon to go beyond that ― beyond just the defense of freedom and peace. We are called upon to step forward on a new journey ― a journey toward a Korea at peace, that is happy, and that is made whole,” she said.

“Our economic partnership must also aim higher and reach further into the future.”

Park also stressed the significance of economic ties cemented a year ago when a bilateral free trade pact went in to effect, creating increased income and employment for both countries.

“In March of last year, the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA) went into effect. The agreement adds an economic pillar to our alliance. It has moved us closer to a comprehensive strategic alliance,” she said.

“Our FTA also connects East Asia and North America and provides a key platform for building a common Asia-Pacific market. The agreement also helps underpin Washington’s rebalancing toward the region.”

Earlier in the day, U.S. President Barack Obama also raised the importance of the FTA in a press conference after their summit in the White House.

“On our side, we’re selling more exports to Korea ― more manufactured goods, more services, more agricultural products,” he said.

“And as President Park and I agreed to make sure that we continue to fully implement this agreement, we believe that it’s going to make both of our economies more competitive.”