(3rd LD) China military chief-S Korean visit

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 its opposition to the rocket launch to the Chinese delegation. China is
North Korea's foremost benefactor and host of the six-nation talks aimed at
denuclearizing Pyongyang in exchange for energy and diplomatic benefits.
"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 China has also suggested that it will remain cautious in joining
international efforts to slap sanctions on North Korea in case it turns out that
Pyongyang has indeed only prepared for 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 were mostly behind closed doors, although the two sides announced that
they will work together to deal with Somali pirates.
The neighboring countries agreed to share experiences in dealing with pirates and
help each other in case emergency situations take place off the eastern coast of
Africa.
Seoul dispatched the 4,500-ton destroyer, Munmu the Great, to Somali waters early
this month, while Beijing has stationed three warships to protect shipping since
January and plans to dispatch another vessel next month.
Chen, meanwhile, 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 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 mainly to discuss "measures before and after North
Korea fires a missile."
North Korea threatened Tuesday 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
marked his first trip to South Korea since he took office in 2007, his aides
said.
South and North Korea remain in a technical state of conflict after the 1950-53
Korean War ended in a truce rather than a peace treaty.
North Korea said earlier this month that it has notified international
organizations of its plan to launch the rocket between April 4-8. Speculation is
running rampant that Japan and the United States may attempt an interception.
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