ID :
97980
Sun, 01/03/2010 - 19:54
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/97980
The shortlink copeid
Seoul should seek third summit with N.K. to discuss grand bargain: KIDA
SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- Seoul should seek a third inter-Korean summit with Pyongyang to discuss President Lee Myung-bak's "grand bargain" proposal aimed at bringing an end to the North's nuclear ambitions, a state-run think tank said Sunday.
In its report on security issues facing the Korean Peninsula, the Korea Institute
for Defense Analysis (KIDA) said that the South should seek "various contacts"
with the North, including a third inter-Korean summit, to move forward with the
"grand bargain" plan proposed by Lee last year.
The grand bargain, which was first made public by Lee during a visit to the U.S.
in September, envisions a package deal in which members of the six-party talks on
ending the North's nuclear program provide Pyongyang with security guarantees,
massive economic aid and other incentives in return for a single-phased
denuclearization deal that does not necessitate further negotiations.
The two Koreas held two summits; the first in 2000 under the administration of
President Kim Dae-jung, and the second in 2007 under President Roh Moo-hyun. Both
summits were held in Pyongyang and the North Korean leader has yet to pay a
promised reciprocal visit to the South.
Lee recently said he is ready to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-il "anytime
and anywhere" to resolve the protracted nuclear standoff, fueling speculation
about the possibility of a third inter-Korean summit in 2010.
KIDA expressed skepticism that ongoing multilateral efforts aimed at
denuclearizing North Korea would reach a breakthrough this year, but underscored
the need to maintain the process of negotiations that will ultimately contribute
to the establishment of a peace regime.
The think tank also urged the North to focus its efforts on improving ties with
Washington in order to ultimately seal a peace treaty and normalize diplomatic
ties.
"Following U.S. Special Representative Stephen Bosworth's recent trip to the
North, there is a possibility for the six-party talks to resume (this year) but
the possibility of a swift resolution of the nuclear issue is very small."
Pyongyang wants to forge a peace treaty with the U.S. to replace the armistice
that ended the 1950-53 Korean War, when U.S. troops fought alongside South Korea
against invading North Korean troops, aided by their communist ally China.
The U.S. position is that any peace treaty should be discussed within the
framework of the six-party talks, which also involve South Korea, China, Russia
and Japan.
Regarding the North's nuclear capability, KIDA estimates that the North is
capable of obtaining an explosion yield of 10-20 kilotons. One kiloton is equal
to 1,000 tons of TNT.
The think tank, however, said it believes the North has yet to acquire the
technology to miniaturize a nuclear warhead and that it is highly unlikely that
it will achieve the technology in the near future.
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)
In its report on security issues facing the Korean Peninsula, the Korea Institute
for Defense Analysis (KIDA) said that the South should seek "various contacts"
with the North, including a third inter-Korean summit, to move forward with the
"grand bargain" plan proposed by Lee last year.
The grand bargain, which was first made public by Lee during a visit to the U.S.
in September, envisions a package deal in which members of the six-party talks on
ending the North's nuclear program provide Pyongyang with security guarantees,
massive economic aid and other incentives in return for a single-phased
denuclearization deal that does not necessitate further negotiations.
The two Koreas held two summits; the first in 2000 under the administration of
President Kim Dae-jung, and the second in 2007 under President Roh Moo-hyun. Both
summits were held in Pyongyang and the North Korean leader has yet to pay a
promised reciprocal visit to the South.
Lee recently said he is ready to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-il "anytime
and anywhere" to resolve the protracted nuclear standoff, fueling speculation
about the possibility of a third inter-Korean summit in 2010.
KIDA expressed skepticism that ongoing multilateral efforts aimed at
denuclearizing North Korea would reach a breakthrough this year, but underscored
the need to maintain the process of negotiations that will ultimately contribute
to the establishment of a peace regime.
The think tank also urged the North to focus its efforts on improving ties with
Washington in order to ultimately seal a peace treaty and normalize diplomatic
ties.
"Following U.S. Special Representative Stephen Bosworth's recent trip to the
North, there is a possibility for the six-party talks to resume (this year) but
the possibility of a swift resolution of the nuclear issue is very small."
Pyongyang wants to forge a peace treaty with the U.S. to replace the armistice
that ended the 1950-53 Korean War, when U.S. troops fought alongside South Korea
against invading North Korean troops, aided by their communist ally China.
The U.S. position is that any peace treaty should be discussed within the
framework of the six-party talks, which also involve South Korea, China, Russia
and Japan.
Regarding the North's nuclear capability, KIDA estimates that the North is
capable of obtaining an explosion yield of 10-20 kilotons. One kiloton is equal
to 1,000 tons of TNT.
The think tank, however, said it believes the North has yet to acquire the
technology to miniaturize a nuclear warhead and that it is highly unlikely that
it will achieve the technology in the near future.
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)
