Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
|
 Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 5:47 am Post subject: (Another) Inter-Korean Summit? |
 |
|
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200612/kt2006121117315611970.htm
| Quote: |
'Inter-Korean Summit Might Be Held in Spring'
Seoul is in the final stage of a working-level discussion with Pyongyang for an inter-Korean summit, and it might be held around March or April, an opposition party lawmaker claimed Monday.
Chong Wa Dae, however, flatly denied the allegation, reminding the people of Roh�s remarks in New Zealand last week where he said that he thought holding an inter-Korean summit at this time would be difficult.
Chung Hyung-keun, a third-term legislator from the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP), raised the suspicion in an interview with a KBS radio program, citing an increasing number of related remarks by figures from the governing camp.
``If an inter-Korean summit was held in March or April, it would be a variable strong enough to sway the 2007 presidential race,�� he said. ``So the summit should not be held at all.��
A former prosecutor specializing in security-related cases, Chung is well known for his ability to collect intelligence on the North even after he joined the National Assembly. He also served in key posts at the state anti-espionage agency.
Politicians from the governing camp, including former Uri Party Chairman Chung Dong-young, have recently raised the need for an inter-Korean summit for peace on the Korean Peninsula, including the resolution of the nuclear standoff.
Rep. Chung argued that figures from the governing camp are leaking information on the inter-Korean summit on purpose in order to check on public opinion about the summit ahead of the presidential race next year.
Chong Wa Dae spokesman Yoon Tai-young dismissed Chung�s allegation flatly. ``As you know, President Roh has already made a comment about that in New Zealand,�� he said during a press briefing in response to a reporter�s question.
Roh showed a passive attitude about a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il during a joint press conference with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark. ``I cannot hold a summit alone and North Korea is not a place that I could visit freely anytime.��
He added, however, that Kim�s return visit would be welcomed anytime. ``We have repeatedly asked Kim to fulfill his promise to pay a return visit (to Seoul),�� Roh told reporters. ``We always welcome his visit.��
In June 2000, then-South Korean President Kim Dae-jung held the first-ever summit with Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang. Inter-Korean relations have developed dramatically since the summit, when the top North Korean leader vowed to make a return visit.
Relations between the two Koreas have been hot issues in presidential polls in the past decades as the two Koreas are technically still at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. |
Ok, I know Chung has been pushing for this since his return from Germany, and that many people think it'll save Uri-Dang from a crushing defeat next election, but my question is this: How much is it going to cost?
The North does not come to the table unless it needs something.
Right now it needs friends... and aid.
I have no doubt the South will give both - unconditionally.
/sigh |
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
