열린장관실

 

 

Remarks by H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade at a Breakfast Occasion to Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Diplomacy

- September 1, 2005   07:45

 

Thank you very much for the kind introduction Chairman Limb Thok-kyu.

Honorable Lee Man-sup, Honorable Yu Jae-gun, Honorable Kim Hwa-jung, excellencies, distinguished guests and ambassadors of the diplomatic corps, and ladies and gentlemen! It is a great honor for me to address such a distinguished group of audience today including many diplomatic corps members. I'm just impressed and overwhelmed by this large turnout early this morning. I know that particularly for ambassadors who have enjoyed their leisurely morning hours, it would have been very much difficult. But I would advise to, particularly ambassadors here, if you want to be successful in Korea as ambassadors, you should be prepared at least to have two breakfasts in the morning and two dinners in a day. This is what normally most of the successful politicians and diplomats and government officials have to do to. You should always visit some wedding ceremonies and funeral services after your official duties and after your dinner. Two times of dinner and two more ceremonies and maybe during the weekend, you should also be prepared to attend many wedding ceremonies. I'm sure that most of the ambassadors have already known how diligent, how faithful and how persistent Chairman Limb Thok-kyu has been in making this magazine Diplomacy so popular and so successful in Korea, not only in the diplomatic corps but also in our life. So in that regard, it is not only my great honor, but also a pleasure to speak at this special event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the international magazine Diplomacy.

        Diplomacy magazine has earned great credit and respect for the valuable part it has played in promoting deeper understanding about various aspects of Korea and its place in world affairs.  In fact, on a personal note, this Diplomacy magazine has, I have witnessed all these stages of development since 1975 because I have known Chairman Limb since 1972 when I was just a very young junior officer in the Foreign Ministry. And I have full admiration and respect for what he has been doing in helping to promote the national image of Korea in the international community.

This international magazine has kept the foreign community in Korea up to date with the developments in a truly outstanding manner. Its timely coverage of the key events of our times, complemented by fabulous photos, has left a deep and long lasting impression on every reader.       

 On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Diplomacy, I wish to pay high tribute again to Chairman Limb for his untiring efforts and wise guidance in enhancing Korea's image and status in the international arena through this Diplomacy magazine.        

I am also glad of this opportunity to touch on 'Korean Foreign Policy: Today and Tomorrow,' focusing on key diplomatic tasks ahead of Korea : first the North Korean nuclear issue and then two important diplomatic events which will take place this year - the President's visits to some Central American countries and the United Nations, as well as the 2005 APEC leaders meeting to be held in November in Busan.

        First let me turn to a matter of most and paramount importance - the North Korean nuclear issue.  There is no doubt that this issue has posed a crucial challenge not only to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula but indeed the security and common prosperity of Northeast Asia and beyond. 

        During the first session of the Six-Party Talks, substantive progress has been made toward the peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue  This was possible thanks to the serious efforts and open-minded approaches of the participating countries.        

Firstly, participants engaged in substantive and in-depth discussions and consultations through various formats.  All participants made their own unique contribution to conducting earnest negotiations in a good atmosphere.

        Secondly, the participating countries, agreeing to adopt a political document on the goals and principles to realize denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, reached common ground in many respects.

        Thirdly, unlike the previous three rounds of Six-Party Talks, we have introduced a new modality of the meeting.

And fourth, they decided to have a brief recess so that we have enough time to resolve remaining differences and having consultations among participants.

        During the recess, the participating countries  continued to communicate and engage in active consultations.  For its part, Korea initiated various contacts and discussions in order to lay more solid groundwork conducive to resolving this issue at the resumed session.  

        During my recent visit to China, I agreed with my counterpart Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing to step up our efforts to achieve substantive results in the next talks, sharing the view that the Six-Party Talks had entered a stage of serious negotiations.

        On the occasion of the celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of our liberation, my government once more clearly reiterated the views to the North Korean delegation that they must dismantle nuclear weapons and programs, thereby opening a new chapter in the history of the Korean Peninsula.  

        During my visit to Washington D.C. last week, Secretary Rice and I engaged in highly useful and constructive consultations.

        Firstly, we both shared the view that the first session of the Six-Party Talks had laid a broad basis for practical and flexible negotiations.  

        Secondly, we agreed to continue full coordination in order to resolve all remaining issues at the resumed sessions, reconfirming that North Korea should dismantle all nuclear weapons and nuclear programs. We came to a common understanding that the scope of nuclear dismantlement and the peaceful use of nuclear energy should not overshadow the talks, as if they were the only remaining problems. 

        In fact, we have other important differences to address, bearing in mind the principle that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed."

        With regard to the scope of the dismantlement as I have said, I would like to repeat that North Korea should accept the elimination of all nuclear weapons and nuclear programs. 

        Concerning the peaceful use of nuclear energy, whether we should grant to the right to North Korea for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, I emphasized on various opinions particularly to Secretary Rice and other American government officials that first North Korea should dismantle all nuclear weapons and programs, returns to the NPT (non-proliferation treaty), abide by the IAEA safeguards agreement, so that transparency and trust  my be restored, then I think we should give North Korea the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

        Thirdly, both countries reaffirmed our readiness to continue to intensify diplomatic efforts to achieve tangible results.  In this regard, we agreed to give the respective chief negotiators ample flexibility and authority to resolve the pending issues within the Six--Party framework.

        The second session of the Six-Party Talks, as it has been already reported, is expected to resume in the week beginning from September 12.  My government will exert maximum efforts to achieve tangible results, based on the common ground forged at the previous session.  

        North Korea has been saying that the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is a legacy of the late President Kim Il-Sung and the will of its highest authorities. The Korean government will encourage the other parties to solve the decades-old problem by addressing North Korea's concerns and being prepared to offer incentives.

        However, we need to be cautious as we know that "the devil is in the detail". Even after agreement on the broad principle of denuclearization, I expect that we will still have to do a lot of work to clear up the details in all regards.

        From a longer perspective, North Korea's taking the right path to nuclear dismantlement will result in historic changes, creating fundamentally new relations on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.  It will be North Korea which will get  the immediate benefits from a path leading to greater security and prosperity. 

        All parties will be able not only to enjoy lasting peace in Northeast Asia, but also to concentrate on future-oriented issues, including the development of an Asian style of integration and cooperation.

 

        Ladies and Gentlemen, now let me turn the focus to President Roh's summit diplomacy in September. As announced, in mid-September, President Roh Moo-hyun will participate in the High-Level Plenary Meeting at the Unite Nations, commemorating the 60th anniversary of its founding.         

        Just prior to his visit to the United Nations the President will also pay state visits to Mexico and Costa Rica respectively. Furthermore, another significant event is scheduled: a summit between Korea and eight Central American countries within the SICA framework with the aim of expanding cooperation with Central American countries. SICA stands for Systema de la Integracion Central-America.

        In New York, President Roh is planning to participate in the High-Level Plenary at the Unite Nations.  This Plenary has been organized to generate strong political will among over 170 Heads of State and Government to faithfully implement the 2000 Millennium Declaration, thereby strengthening the United Nations system. 

        In his keynote speech and a roundtable discussion, President Roh is to set out Korea's vision for a future world order and United Nations reform.  

        President Roh's active participation in the UN forum is designed to underscore that Korea, as the 11th largest financial contributor to the Unitd Nations budget, will play a bridging role between developed and developing countries, as befits Korea's increased national capabilities.

        This year, the 60th birthday of the United Nations coincides with the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Korea.  According to Korean tradition, the 60th birthday is called 'hwan-gap' is the culmination of one's life cycle, and a good cause for rebirth and innovation.  

        At the 60th session, the United Nations will discuss a wide range of issues relating to its reform. The objective will be to reinforce the international community's ability to promote global peace and prosperity in the 21st century.  The UN member countries are working hard to adopt a historic "outcome document", reaffirming the political will of all member states to support and implement measures for international peace and security, development of human rights and United Nations reforms.  

        Korea has been fully cooperating with United Nations member countries to ensure the success of the ongoing work on the outcome from the High-Level Plenary.

        I believe that, in an increasingly interdependent and globalized world, an effective multilateral system must be put in place to ensure coexistence and respect for pluralism in the international community.  As an active player at the United Nations, the Korean government will continue to play a full role in strengthening this system of effective multilateralism.

        I would now like to draw your attention to another diplomatic event of the greatest importance. That is the APEC 2005 Leaders' Meeting which Korea is honored to host on November 18-19 this year.  

        This APEC carries special importance.  This summit will not just engage in discussions on major international issues.  With the simultaneous participation of 21 leaders of member economies including the United States, China, Japan and Russia, it will be one of the largest-scale summits Korea has ever hosted to promote peace and prosperity in the region. 

        As you are well aware, APEC is one of the largest bodies for economic cooperation in the world, comprising 21 members in the Asia-Pacific region.  Nearly half, more precisely 46 percent of world trade, takes place within this region and its members' aggregate GDP accounts for 57 percent of the world total GDP.  From Korea's perspective, the trade with APEC member economies accounts for its over 70 percent of total trade.  Recognizing the great potential of the region, Korea has placed still greater priority on the development of APEC.

        As the theme for APEC 2005 my government selected "Towards One Community : Meet the Challenge, Make the Change". This encapsulates the strong will of member economies to direct their efforts towards building a community in the region.

        APEC's crucial focus has been on advancing free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific.  APEC has contributed immensely to the economic growth and welfare of its members, achieving substantial progress in trade liberalization in the middle of rapid changes and reducing the gap among the member economies.  With the advance of globalization and the complexities it brings, APEC's mission has been expanded to the fight for a safer and more transparent business environment as well as to encompass human security and rising to meet the challenge of natural disasters.

        In this connection, the 2005 APEC is focusing on seven priority issues including human security, gender integration, APEC reforms and promoting cross-cultural communication.

        You may recall a historic step forward made with the APEC members' pledge on the Bogor Goals in 1994.  A timetable for free and open trade and investment in the region was set with the goals to be achieved by 2010 for industrialized economies and 2020 for developing economies respectively.  In this regard, a "Roadmap" is being drafted for adoption at the 2005 APEC, so that APEC will implement concrete steps toward accomplishing the Bogor Goals on schedule.  Should we agree on such a roadmap, it will be named after the venue of the 2005 APEC: that is the Busan Roadmap.

        My government is fully dedicated to the success of APEC 2005.  In today's globalized world what benefits one economy of course often benefits others.  The benefits of the APEC Leaders' Meeting will by no means be felt only by the host economy.  The APEC Leaders' Meeting held in Korea will offer extremely useful opportunities to forge strong networks among all the participating economies for a safer and more prosperous region. 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen!

 

        You can no doubt see how Korea has many exciting challenges in the latter half of this year.  We will indeed draw upon our resilience and cooperation to maximize upon the opportunities to be seized.

        I am hopeful that 2005 will come to be remembered as a remarkable year for Korean diplomacy full of meaningful events and successes.

        I think Diplomacy magazine might find that it has a lot of newsworthy and significant events to cover this year.  Thank you very much for your kind attention!                                                                   

 

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