Officials question China aid promised to North
Published: 08 Oct. 2009, 04:14
After the conclusion of the meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and China’s premier Wen Jiabao, the South Korean government has grown concerned that China’s apparent offers of aid to the North may violate the existing United Nations Security Council resolution banning support to the North except for humanitarian purposes. Seoul is expecting a further explanation from Beijing on the matter.
During their highly publicized meeting in Pyongyang this week, China, according to North Korean news reports, agreed to assume the costs for a new bridge to be constructed over the Yalu River, which runs along the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. The two sides also reportedly reached agreements on cooperation in education and tourism, with China providing grants worth an estimated $200 million.
South Korean officials are questioning whether such moves violate Resolution 1874. Adopted in June following the North’s nuclear test, the resolution prohibits UN member states from providing grants, financial assistance or concessional loans “except for humanitarian and developmental purposes directly addressing .?.?. the promotion of denuclearization.” The resolution also urges member nations to “exercise enhanced vigilance” in that regard.
In addition, the resolution prohibits financial support for North Korea that could contribute to the country’s nuclear, ballistic missile or weapons of mass destruction programs.
The Foreign Ministry yesterday denied a South Korean news report that Seoul had formally asked the Chinese government for an explanation through the South Korean Embassy in Beijing. But South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan said on Tuesday that Seoul had “expressed interest” to China regarding whether that country’s aid would violate the spirit of the resolution. Speaking at a forum in Seoul, Yu also said he expected China to offer concrete explanations on specifics of its agreements with North Korea. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is scheduled to meet Wen at the upcoming summit in Beijing.
A high-ranking Foreign Ministry official in Seoul said China wouldn’t deliberately go against the terms of the resolution as one of five permanent members on the Security Council. Drafting of a resolution requires the consensus of the Security Council’s veto-wielding permanent members, who also include the United States, Britain, France and Russia.
But the official, who oversees matters related to the North Korean nuclear situation, noted that the question of a possible breach “must be considered once details of the aid are made available.”
South Korea’s questioning of the Chinese moves comes amid ongoing international efforts to maintain pressure on North Korea by way of sanctions. A diplomatic source said yesterday that a massive aid package from China may take the air out of such endeavors and added that the action also may send the wrong message to North Korea. “China has essentially told North Korea, ‘Hey, we’ve got your back,’” the source said. “We can’t discount the possibility that this may lead to some cracks in China’s relationship with the United States.”
The United States has spearheaded the drafting and implementation of the resolution. Its officials have traveled around the globe seeking support.
Even as North Korea appears ready to return to the six-party talks and as the United States tries to set a date for a bilateral meeting with the North, senior U.S. officials have said sanctions won’t be lifted until the North abandons its nuclear weapons.
A similar question emerged in August regarding South Korea’s tourism programs to the North. On Aug. 17, Pyongyang agreed with Hyundai Asan to resume suspended tour packages to Mount Kumgang and Kaesong.
The tourism projects have been considered major cash cows for Pyongyang. But Philip Goldberg, who coordinates implementation of the UN sanctions for the U.S., said during his Seoul visit later that month the programs were outside the purview of the resolution.
By Yoo Jee-ho [[email protected]]
During their highly publicized meeting in Pyongyang this week, China, according to North Korean news reports, agreed to assume the costs for a new bridge to be constructed over the Yalu River, which runs along the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. The two sides also reportedly reached agreements on cooperation in education and tourism, with China providing grants worth an estimated $200 million.
South Korean officials are questioning whether such moves violate Resolution 1874. Adopted in June following the North’s nuclear test, the resolution prohibits UN member states from providing grants, financial assistance or concessional loans “except for humanitarian and developmental purposes directly addressing .?.?. the promotion of denuclearization.” The resolution also urges member nations to “exercise enhanced vigilance” in that regard.
In addition, the resolution prohibits financial support for North Korea that could contribute to the country’s nuclear, ballistic missile or weapons of mass destruction programs.
The Foreign Ministry yesterday denied a South Korean news report that Seoul had formally asked the Chinese government for an explanation through the South Korean Embassy in Beijing. But South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan said on Tuesday that Seoul had “expressed interest” to China regarding whether that country’s aid would violate the spirit of the resolution. Speaking at a forum in Seoul, Yu also said he expected China to offer concrete explanations on specifics of its agreements with North Korea. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is scheduled to meet Wen at the upcoming summit in Beijing.
A high-ranking Foreign Ministry official in Seoul said China wouldn’t deliberately go against the terms of the resolution as one of five permanent members on the Security Council. Drafting of a resolution requires the consensus of the Security Council’s veto-wielding permanent members, who also include the United States, Britain, France and Russia.
But the official, who oversees matters related to the North Korean nuclear situation, noted that the question of a possible breach “must be considered once details of the aid are made available.”
South Korea’s questioning of the Chinese moves comes amid ongoing international efforts to maintain pressure on North Korea by way of sanctions. A diplomatic source said yesterday that a massive aid package from China may take the air out of such endeavors and added that the action also may send the wrong message to North Korea. “China has essentially told North Korea, ‘Hey, we’ve got your back,’” the source said. “We can’t discount the possibility that this may lead to some cracks in China’s relationship with the United States.”
The United States has spearheaded the drafting and implementation of the resolution. Its officials have traveled around the globe seeking support.
Even as North Korea appears ready to return to the six-party talks and as the United States tries to set a date for a bilateral meeting with the North, senior U.S. officials have said sanctions won’t be lifted until the North abandons its nuclear weapons.
A similar question emerged in August regarding South Korea’s tourism programs to the North. On Aug. 17, Pyongyang agreed with Hyundai Asan to resume suspended tour packages to Mount Kumgang and Kaesong.
The tourism projects have been considered major cash cows for Pyongyang. But Philip Goldberg, who coordinates implementation of the UN sanctions for the U.S., said during his Seoul visit later that month the programs were outside the purview of the resolution.
By Yoo Jee-ho [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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