Chinese military chief in Seoul amid tension over N. Korean rocket

(ATTN: UPDATES in paras 9-10; INSERTS para 4; RECASTS lead; TRIMS throughout)
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- China's chief of general staff met with his South
Korean counterpart in Seoul on Wednesday as their governments struggle to defuse
tension over North Korea's planned rocket launch.
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.
A defense official in Seoul said earlier in the day that South Korea plans to
reiterate to the Chinese delegation its opposition to the rocket launch. China is
North Korea's foremost benefactor, hosting six-nation talks aimed at
denuclearizing Pyongyang in exchange for compensation.
"We plan to relay to the Chinese delegation our demand that North Korea heed
international warnings and halt its preparations for the launch," the official
said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity.
Beijing has recently called on Pyongyang to refrain from a missile test because
such a move could drastically raise regional tensions.
But it has also suggested that it will remain cautious in joining international
efforts 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.
Leading a group of top military aides, Chen paid a courtesy call on South Korean
Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee and held talks with his counterpart Kim Tae-young.
The talks proceeded mostly behind closed doors.
Chen is scheduled to tour military bases, including special forces headquarters
and a naval base, during his three-day visit, Joint Chiefs of Staff officials
here said.
The 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 part of its space
development project.
The denuclearization talks, which began in 2003, involve the two Koreas, the
United States, Russia, Japan, and China.
Chen visited Myanmar and Vietnam before he arrived in Seoul. Wednesday's visit
marks his first trip to South Korea since he took office in 2007, his aides said.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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