The talks on the DPRK nuclear issue may be over but another chapter has begun in the story of the issue's resolution. All the parties have shown their willingness to come to the negotiating table. They know that a failure to find a peaceful settlement may endanger the stability of Asia and even the world as a whole.
It's been four months since trilateral talks on the issue brought together diplomats from China, the DPRK and the United States. They came back again this week along with representatives from the ROK, Japan and Russia. The meetings come at a time when the nuclear standoff on the Korean Peninsula is a highly sensitive issue, especially in Asia. But few expected the talks would result in a dramatic breakthrough.
Yu Meihua, director of East Asian Studies, China Reform Forum, said, "No breakthroughs should be expected from this round of negotiations. But there will be lengthy give-and-take discussions between all parties before a final settlement."
The DPRK sits in the heart of northeast Asia and some of the world's fastest growing economies. Regional security has long been a key concern for the six nations taking part in the Beijing talks. Pyongyang vowed to freeze its nuclear program under a 1994 agreement. Then, just last year, the DPRK accused the US of hostility and announced it was reactivating its nuclear program. Early this year Pyongyang triggered world concern by saying it was withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The Republic of Korea, or ROK, has always been committed to finding a negotiated settlement with its northern neighbor. It worries about the prospect of escalating military tension between the US and the DPRK, should diplomacy fail. Seoul is more than willing to work for progress in Beijing.
"The ROK has always been in a dilemma. It has to keep a balance between pursuing national unity and maintaining its alliance with the US," said Yu.
Increasingly aware of its role on the world political stage, Japan has joined the wrangle. It's worried that the DPRK's nuclear weapons capability could pose a threat to its own security.
Yu said, "To be able to talk in itself is a diplomatic victory for Japan. However it is also the best time to increase its own political and military leverage at this moment."
Yu Meihua says Japan is the US's closest ally in Asia and has stood by America. So the US' policy and approach are still key to East Asian security.
As host to the Six-way talk, China has worked hard to bring the parties to the table, even though the efforts have yet to yield dramatic results.
Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi said, "The stability of the Korean Peninsula is closely related to the immediate interests of the DPRK and ROK. It also has a direct impact on the peaceful environment surrounding China, as well as on peace and stability in Northeast Asia and even the Asia Pacific."
All six nations agree Beijing has played a critical role in arranging the six-party talks while upholding its long-term goal of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. It's a goal that needs more time and work to be done.
Without doubt, the six-party talks in Beijing have given all parties concerned a well-earned chance to deal with the Korean nuclear crisis. And their active involvement means just one thing: their over-riding concern for regional stability in Asia.
(CCTV.com August 30, 2003)
