Kerry stresses US-China cooperation in NK denuclearization

By Kang Seung-woo

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry expressed hope of working more closely with China in dealing with North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, Tuesday.

“Our (U.S.-China) cooperation makes a difference when it comes to nuclear proliferation. We are very encouraged by China’s serious engagement on the Iran negotiations as a full partner in the P5+1,” U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry expressed hope of working more closely with China in dealing with North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, Tuesday.

Kerry said at the Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies in Washington D.C.

The P5+1 are a group of six nations ― Germany, the United States, China, the United Kingdom, France and Russia ― formed to address Iran's nuclear program.

“We’re very hopeful that working more closely together, the United States and China will ultimately bring North Korea to the realization that its current approach is leading to a dead end,” he said.

Kerry added that the only path that will bring the North security and prosperity is to make real progress towards denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.

His speech came days ahead of his planned trip to China Nov. 7 to 8 for meetings with officials from member countries of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. China is a host for the multinational forum, scheduled for Nov. 10 to 11.

Late last month, Kerry praised China for its efforts in handling the North.

“When I went to visit last spring, we engaged in a discussion where they agreed to step up their efforts with the North, and they have. They’ve actually reduced the amount of jet fuel going into the country. They’ve put limitations on trade going into the country,” he said.

China is the North’s biggest trade partner and has the most leverage with the Kim Jong-un regime.

However, angered by Pyongyang’s recent provocative actions ― such as its third nuclear test as well as the launch of a long-range ballistic missile ― Chinese President Xi Jinping has not met the North Korean leader, who took power in December 2011.

In addition, Xi visited Seoul in July ahead of Pyongyang for the first time in more than two decades, which diplomatic experts described as a “clear cold shoulder to the North Korean leader.“

Kerry also said the two countries should work together to address ongoing international issues such as the Ebola crisis, climate change and radical religious extremism. He added, “The U.S.-China relationship is the most consequential in the world today, period, and it will do much to determine the shape of the 21st century.“