Vice ministers discuss N.K., illegal fishing at highest-level meeting since Kim’s death


South Korea and China agreed to strengthen “strategic communication” in seeking stability in the region at high-level talks held in Seoul on Tuesday.

Conducted by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Suk-hwan and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun, the meeting was of the highest level since news of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s death was announced on Dec. 19.

“The two countries share the opinion that maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is of utmost importance,” Park said. He added that the timing of the meeting was particularly meaningful in that Kim Jong-il’s death has heightened interest in developments on the peninsula.

“(I) hope that the two countries will maintain quick and close communications under a shared strategic aim.”

Zhang responded in kind saying that it was important for the two nations to have “timely strategic communication” in times of “complex and serious changes” in the Asia Pacific region.

The emphasis on communication is thought to reflect the importance the two nations place on maintaining stability on the peninsula. In addition, the issue of resuming the six-party talks on ending Pyongyang’s nuclear program is also thought to have pushed the two countries to hone in on improving communications.

The importance of cooperation between Korea and China with regards to the six-party talks was emphasized earlier by Seoul’s chief envoy to the talks Lim Sung-nam who said that the two nations need to work together to “swiftly reinvigorate” diplomatic efforts to revive the six-party talks.

While focusing on the line of communications, which appeared to be less than optimal following Kim’s death, the Korean government raised the issue of Chinese fisherman operating illegally in Korean waters.

In the days following the news, President Lee Myung-bak requested a phone conversation with Hu Jintao, president of China, but was refused.

Seoul’s vice foreign minister is said to have requested China to establish measures to prevent illegal fishing activities and to prevent Chinese fishermen from arming themselves and leaving ports illegally.

In addition, the two vice ministers are said to have discussed the issue of setting up a standing high-level committee to negotiate various matters.

The issue of a bilateral free trade agreement was also mentioned at the meeting. However, with the Korea-China summit scheduled for early next month where the topic will be discussed in more detail, the vice ministers are said to have only touched on the issue.

By Choi He-suk  (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)