ID :
52191
Wed, 03/25/2009 - 11:07
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/52191
The shortlink copeid
China's military chief due in Seoul amid inter-Korean tension
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- China's chief of general staff was to meet with South Korea's defense head and his counterpart in Seoul Wednesday, as their governments struggle to defuse tension over North Korea's planned rocket launch, officials said.
The visit by General Chen Bingde, Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army,
comes as North Korea gears up to launch what it claims to be a rocket carrying a
communications satellite.
Neighbors believe the launch, expected between April 4-8, will serve as a chance
for North Korea to test its ballistic missile technology. They say the rocket
being prepared on the North's east coast could be a Taepodong-2 missile capable
of reaching Alaska.
"We plan to relay to the Chinese delegation our demand that North Korea heed
international warnings and halt its preparations for the launch," a senior South
Korean defense official said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity.
China is North Korea's foremost ally, hosting six-nation talks aimed at
dissolving Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. Beijing has called on Pyongyang to heed
warnings against its planned rocket launch because such a move could drastically
raise regional tensions.
But China has also suggested that it will remain cautious in joining
international moves to slap sanctions on North Korea should Pyongyang turn out to
have indeed prepared a satellite launch.
"China is the closest country to North Korea. Its comments carry weight, and we
hope it can more actively pressure Pyongyang," the South Korean official said.
After meeting with South Korean Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee and his counterpart
Kim Tae-young in Seoul, Chen will tour military bases around the country,
including special forces headquarters and a naval base, Joint Chiefs of Staff
officials here said.
The three-day visit, which aims to increase cooperation in broad mutual security
areas, came a day after South Korean and Chinese diplomats met in Beijing over
the North Korean rocket.
Wi Sung-lac, South Korea's chief nuclear envoy, said that he met with China's
Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei to mainly discuss "measures before and after North
Korea fires a missile."
North Korea threatened late Wednesday to jettison the six-party talks should
sanctions follow its rocket launch, which it claims is designed as part of its
space development project.
The denuclearization talks, which begun in 2003, involve the United States,
Russia, Japan, the two Koreas and China.
According to official Chinese media, Chen's trip involves Myanmar and Vietnam.
The Wednesday visit marks his first trip to South Korea since he took office in
2007.
SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- China's chief of general staff was to meet with South Korea's defense head and his counterpart in Seoul Wednesday, as their governments struggle to defuse tension over North Korea's planned rocket launch, officials said.
The visit by General Chen Bingde, Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army,
comes as North Korea gears up to launch what it claims to be a rocket carrying a
communications satellite.
Neighbors believe the launch, expected between April 4-8, will serve as a chance
for North Korea to test its ballistic missile technology. They say the rocket
being prepared on the North's east coast could be a Taepodong-2 missile capable
of reaching Alaska.
"We plan to relay to the Chinese delegation our demand that North Korea heed
international warnings and halt its preparations for the launch," a senior South
Korean defense official said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity.
China is North Korea's foremost ally, hosting six-nation talks aimed at
dissolving Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. Beijing has called on Pyongyang to heed
warnings against its planned rocket launch because such a move could drastically
raise regional tensions.
But China has also suggested that it will remain cautious in joining
international moves to slap sanctions on North Korea should Pyongyang turn out to
have indeed prepared a satellite launch.
"China is the closest country to North Korea. Its comments carry weight, and we
hope it can more actively pressure Pyongyang," the South Korean official said.
After meeting with South Korean Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee and his counterpart
Kim Tae-young in Seoul, Chen will tour military bases around the country,
including special forces headquarters and a naval base, Joint Chiefs of Staff
officials here said.
The three-day visit, which aims to increase cooperation in broad mutual security
areas, came a day after South Korean and Chinese diplomats met in Beijing over
the North Korean rocket.
Wi Sung-lac, South Korea's chief nuclear envoy, said that he met with China's
Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei to mainly discuss "measures before and after North
Korea fires a missile."
North Korea threatened late Wednesday to jettison the six-party talks should
sanctions follow its rocket launch, which it claims is designed as part of its
space development project.
The denuclearization talks, which begun in 2003, involve the United States,
Russia, Japan, the two Koreas and China.
According to official Chinese media, Chen's trip involves Myanmar and Vietnam.
The Wednesday visit marks his first trip to South Korea since he took office in
2007.
