ID :
42160
Thu, 01/22/2009 - 18:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/42160
The shortlink copeid
N. Korea clue to tackling global nuclear threat: report
SEOUL, Jan. 22 (Yonhap) -- North Korea could prove to be the first clue to
resolving global nuclear threats for the new Barack Obama administration if
Washington acts swiftly, a pro-Pyongyang newspaper in Japan said Thursday.
Quoting a pledge Obama made during his inaugural speech to "lessen the nuclear
threat," the daily Choson Sinbo that usually conveys Pyongyang's views said
denuclearization of North Korea is not a difficult task.
"The nuclear threat on the Korean Peninsula will be removed and the goal of
putting the brakes on nuclear proliferation around the world will be realized
should the Obama administration actively respond to North Korea's calls," the
commentary said.
Days before the U.S. inauguration, North Korea said in blistering statements that
it would retain its nuclear weapons as long as it felt threatened by U.S.
military forces stationed in South Korea. Turning to Seoul, North Korea vowed to
take "an all-out confrontational posture," threatening to provoke a naval clash
along the western sea border.
Such military threats, analysts say, reflect Pyongyang's attempt to grab
Washington's attention in the hopes of improving bilateral relations and pushing
a stalled aid-for-denuclearization deal forward.
In his inaugural speech, Obama did not directly name North Korea or Iran, but his
reference to nuclear threats suggested that those issues remain a priority even
as the U.S. confronts an economic crisis and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear
threat," Obama said.
The North's official Korean Central News Agency reported on Obama's inauguration
on Wednesday evening, less than 24 hours after the ceremony, a much quicker
response than the three days that passed before reports of President George W.
Bush's inauguration in 2001 and six days after his reelection in 2005.
Choson Sinbo called on Obama to depart from "antiquated policy," an apparent
reference to his predecessor George W. Bush, while recounting reconciliatory
exchanges in the Bill Clinton era like the North Korean special envoy's visit to
the White House in 2000 to arrange a summit betwween the nation's leaders which
never took place.
The daily said Obama "needs to adopt realistic and swift measures in order to
avoid adding any more tough diplomatic tasks to what he is already facing... The
nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula can provide a clue to actualizing Obama's
foreign policy," the commentary said.
Meanwhile, Wang Jiarui, a senior Chinese Communist Party official, is currently
visiting North Korea in a closely watched trip that may involve discussions on
holding a summit between Pyongyang and Beijing. There is also speculation that
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il may appear to greet Wang, his first official
meeting since reportedly suffering a stroke in August. Kim last appeared to
foreign media when meeting visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in June.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
resolving global nuclear threats for the new Barack Obama administration if
Washington acts swiftly, a pro-Pyongyang newspaper in Japan said Thursday.
Quoting a pledge Obama made during his inaugural speech to "lessen the nuclear
threat," the daily Choson Sinbo that usually conveys Pyongyang's views said
denuclearization of North Korea is not a difficult task.
"The nuclear threat on the Korean Peninsula will be removed and the goal of
putting the brakes on nuclear proliferation around the world will be realized
should the Obama administration actively respond to North Korea's calls," the
commentary said.
Days before the U.S. inauguration, North Korea said in blistering statements that
it would retain its nuclear weapons as long as it felt threatened by U.S.
military forces stationed in South Korea. Turning to Seoul, North Korea vowed to
take "an all-out confrontational posture," threatening to provoke a naval clash
along the western sea border.
Such military threats, analysts say, reflect Pyongyang's attempt to grab
Washington's attention in the hopes of improving bilateral relations and pushing
a stalled aid-for-denuclearization deal forward.
In his inaugural speech, Obama did not directly name North Korea or Iran, but his
reference to nuclear threats suggested that those issues remain a priority even
as the U.S. confronts an economic crisis and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear
threat," Obama said.
The North's official Korean Central News Agency reported on Obama's inauguration
on Wednesday evening, less than 24 hours after the ceremony, a much quicker
response than the three days that passed before reports of President George W.
Bush's inauguration in 2001 and six days after his reelection in 2005.
Choson Sinbo called on Obama to depart from "antiquated policy," an apparent
reference to his predecessor George W. Bush, while recounting reconciliatory
exchanges in the Bill Clinton era like the North Korean special envoy's visit to
the White House in 2000 to arrange a summit betwween the nation's leaders which
never took place.
The daily said Obama "needs to adopt realistic and swift measures in order to
avoid adding any more tough diplomatic tasks to what he is already facing... The
nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula can provide a clue to actualizing Obama's
foreign policy," the commentary said.
Meanwhile, Wang Jiarui, a senior Chinese Communist Party official, is currently
visiting North Korea in a closely watched trip that may involve discussions on
holding a summit between Pyongyang and Beijing. There is also speculation that
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il may appear to greet Wang, his first official
meeting since reportedly suffering a stroke in August. Kim last appeared to
foreign media when meeting visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in June.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
