A united Korea would be more assertive and proactive in world political and economic affairs.
South Korean Premier Lee Hae-chan See. |
The visiting South Korean Premier Lee Hae-chan See feels the reunification of the Korean Peninsula will take some time.
In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, he addressed the nuclear programme of North Korea, Korea's commercial interest in the UAE, Japan's turn towards nationalism, the security and political stability in Iraq, among other issues.
Gulf News: When do you envisage the two Koreas being united?
Lee Hae-Chan See: Unification of the Korean Peninsula is one of the most important tasks for our people.
However, our government is of the position that, considering the realities of the Korean Peninsula and the two Koreas, we should pave our way toward unification in a progressive and phased manner, rather than rushing into the process.
To this end, we aspire to lay the groundwork for our path toward a unified nation by first settling peace on the Korean Peninsula, realising reconciliation through inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, and building up a union of the two Koreas.
It is expected to take quite some time to realise a unified nation through such a process.
Since the inter-Korean Summit in 2000, a significant progress has been made in inter-Korean relations in just five years compared to the later part of the 20th century after the division of the Peninsula, and we expect to see even more progress in the future.
Are there any plans to hold a summit of Korean leaders?
There are no consultations or concrete preparations underway for another inter-Korean summit as of yet.
However, we still maintain our position that another inter-Korean summit must be held as it was an agreement made in the South-North Joint Declaration of June 15.
Do you feel that North Korea will scrap its nuclear weapons and its nuclear power programme? If not what will the consequences be?
In the Joint Statement of September 19, North Korea promised to dismantle all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes.
Moreover, the Joint Statement reflected each party's interest in a balanced manner by also including corresponding measures by other concerned parties for North Korea's dismantling of nuclear programmes, such as normalisation of diplomatic ties and economic/energy cooperation.
I believe there are sufficient incentives for concerned parties, including North Korea, to translate these agreements into practice.
Furthermore, the six parties adopted the Chairman's Statement at the first phase of the fifth round of Six-Party Talks, in which they reaffirmed their commitment for all-out implementation of the Joint Statement for an early realisation of the verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
If the six parties continue negotiations with patience based on their commitment to implementing the Joint Statement, which has been confirmed in the process of recent negotiations, I am confident that the North Korean nuclear issue will be resolved in a peaceful manner.
Do you believe that Japan is turning more towards nationalism and if so do you envisage growing tension with Tokyo?
It is true that recent signs of increasing nationalist views, particularly among Japanese politicians of the post-Second World War generation, are causing concern and anxiety for the peoples of the neighbouring countries.
Our government has been urging the Japanese government on various occasions to strengthen its efforts to gain trust from its neighbours by dispelling such concerns with actions.
I believe that the majority of Japanese citizens have a healthy sense of matters, and that it is widely different from that of some nationalist forces in Japan.
Therefore, it is not desirable to necessarily relate some nationalist views in Japan to a reincarnation of militarism or an elevation of tension in the region.
Based on such consideration, our government hopes to enhance mutual understanding and a bond of sympathy between Korea and Japan through active exchanges between civic societies.
What is your impression of the development and progress of this region in general and the UAE in particular? How do you see the Republic of Korea playing a significant role in this growth in the future?
The countries in the Gulf region are attaining impressive developments through active policies of industrialisation. The United Arab Emirates, in particular, stands out as a model country that is leading the most dynamic economic development in the region.
I believe that the amazing development of the UAE is a result of outstanding leadership and free and creative ideas by businessmen.
Full-scale exchanges between Korea and the Middle East began in early 1970s when Korean companies made inroads in the Middle East construction market. The two sides have maintained close cooperative ties ever since.
The two sides also have mutually-complementary economic structures and great potential for further cooperation.
We have been sharing mutual experiences and consulting on cooperative measures under shared visions through the Korea-Middle East Forum since 2003.
Through this visit, I plan to share the experience and wisdom gained from undergoing economic development, and I will seek ways to build a partnership not only in construction and plants but also new industries such as IT.
What steps, in your view, are essential to bringing some semblance of order and stability towards the governance of Iraq? What, in your opinion, went wrong after the war to cause the current crisis?
I welcome Iraq's adoption of a constitution through its first democratic vote on October 15, and hope that this will pave the way to establishing a democratic and peaceful Iraq.
Discord among political parties and difficulty in rebuilding the economy add to the suffering of the Iraqi people. Therefore, I think finding harmony among the Iraqi people is crucial for the stabilisation of the country.
I hope the general elections scheduled to be held on December 15 are successful with wide participation of the Iraqi people and that the new government will achieve peace and stability in Iraq. I think support from the international community is of great importance to reach this goal.
The current Israeli-Palestinian situation appears intractable. What role can the Republic of Korea play to break the current impasse?
I hope that Israel and Palestine fulfil the roadmap for Middle East peace by the Quartet through serious discussions, and that an independent Palestinian state will be born through such efforts.
When the Foreign Minister of Korea visited Palestine last June, the relationship between Korea and Palestine was elevated to the level of general delegation, and with the Palestinian Foreign Minister visiting Korea in October, relations between the two sides are being further strengthened.
The Korean government regards Palestinian development as essential for peace in the Middle East, and has provided $5 million (Dh18.35 million) in 2004 for the reconstruction of Palestine and improvement in the living quality of Palestinia
