열린장관실

 

 

 

"Opening new horizons for a comprehensive partnership in the 21st century"

 

- 27 August 2004, Wellington -

 

 

 

 

 

   Remarks by H.E. Ban Ki-moon,

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade

at a Luncheon

co-hosted by

the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce and Korea-New Zealand Business Council

 

 

 

(Opening Remarks)

 

Mr. Giff Davidson, Chairman of the Korea-New Zealand Business Council,

Mr. Philip Lewin, Chief Executive of the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce,

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen!

 

   It is a great pleasure for me to speak today before distinguished members of the Wellington community, including leading members of the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Korea-New Zealand Business Council.

 

   I would like to thank especially Chairman Giff Davidson and Chief Executive Philip Lewin who have made this special occasion possible.

 

   Both the Korea-New Zealand Business Council and the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce are wellknown for their untiring efforts to promote closer economic cooperation between our two countries to greater mutual benefit.   I have no doubt that both organizations will continue to play an active role in opening new opportunities for our economic relations.

 

(A good model to follow)

 

   Distinguished Guests!

 

   This visit holds special meaning for me. Since my first visit to Wellington 17 years ago, I have always harboured fond memories of New Zealand as a peaceful country boasting natural beauty and very friendly people.   

   Upon my arrival in New Zealand I was able to see once again the same beauty in the land and pleasant disposition of the people.

 

   I could also see that it was the combination of New Zealand's natural beauty and New Zealander's ingenious talents that made possible the sweeping success of the "Lord of the Ring" movies.   That trilogy has indeed boosted New Zealand's popularity and status, making people around the world aware of the charm of your country.

 

   While many aspects of New Zealand remain the same, I detect some new elements.   Indeed, I find that the New Zealand of today has matured into a more dynamic and balanced welfare state.  

 

 

 

   I am particularly impressed by New Zealand's management of an open economy and its implementation of reforms with efficiency and transparency.   It is worthy to note that under the government's excellent guidance, New Zealand has been achieving stable economic growth and bridging the income gap.   New Zealand's economic and social policy and its achievements in its reform program present a valuable model for the Korean government.

 

   Today, I wish to share with you my perspective on Korea's foreign policy directions, which have important implications for the opening of new horizons for our comprehensive partnership in the new era.

 

 

 

(Korea's Foreign Policy Challenges)

 

   As the first step to deepen our mutual understanding, I would like to offer a brief explanation of Korea's major foreign policy challenges.   Since the launch of the current administration in February last year, we have so far made progress in coping with major security challenges, including the North Korean nuclear issue, inter-Korean relations and the realignment of its alliance with the United States.   

 

   Moreover, in a broader context of international cooperation, the Korean government is making an active contribution to the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan as well as expanding economic cooperation and regional integration in this era of globalization.

 

   In dealing with all these challenging issues, the foremost task for the Korean government is to pursue its underlying goal of promoting peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.

 

   Now, I wish to briefly explain what my government is trying to achieve, in close cooperation with the international community.  

 

(North Korean Nuclear Issue and the Six-Party Talks)

 

   Distinguished Guests!

 

   With regard to the North Korean nuclear issue, I am glad to note that with close coordination and cooperation among the countries concerned, steady progress has been made in the Six-Party Talks.   The three rounds of the Six-Party Talks have laid important groundwork for future progress.

   In particular, the following positive outcomes were attained at the third round of Talks held in June.

 

   First, the Talks have developed into an institutionalized dialogue process.   Plenary Meetings and inter-sessional Working Group Meetings have been set to be held more frequently.  

 

   Currently, consultations are underway to fix the dates and venue for the third Working Group Meeting, which will facilitate the next Plenary Meeting to be held by the end of September in Beijing.

 

 

 

 

 

   Secondly, the Six-Party Talks has now entered a phase for more substantive negotiations.   At the third round of Talks, the two Koreas and the United States each put forward concrete proposals which contained some common elements for denuclearization.

 

   To make further progress in the forthcoming meeting, the Korean government is working closely with the United States and other participating countries.   In particular, my government has been strongly encouraging North Korea to make the strategic choice to dismantle all of its nuclear programs, including the uranium enrichment programs.  Indeed, in my meeting with the DPRK Foreign Minister on the occasion of the Jakarta ASEAN Regional Forum in July, I emphasized that North Korea should make the political decision for the substantial resolution of its nuclear problem.

   We aim to convince the North of the wisdom of fundamentally transforming its relations with the outside world.   In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate President Roh Moo-hyun's statement that the Korean government is willing to provide the North with comprehensive and concrete economic assistance, once the North Korean nuclear issue is resolved.

 

   A great deal of patience and wisdom is required in approaching this issue, due to the complexity of the North Korean nuclear problem itself and its manifold security implications.   

 

 

 

 

   However, there is an underlying consensus among the participating countries.   All agree that the Six-Party Talks is the most useful and appropriate forum for resolving the North Korean nuclear issue.   As such, I strongly believe that the Six-Party Talks will bring about the peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue.   

 

   Furthermore, with positive developments  accumulated in the Six Party Talks, we can envisage the creation of a peace mechanism functioning in and around the Korean Peninsula.

 

(Inter-Korean Relations)

 

   Ladies and Gentlemen!

 

   The Korean government is working hard to ensure the stable management of inter-Korean relations under the peace and prosperity policy initiative.  

   This policy initiative first seeks to deepen exchanges and cooperation with North Korea. Through such closer relations, we hope to restore mutual trust.

 

   This strategy is ultimately designed to realize lasting peace and common prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and to create a peaceful and prosperous Northeast Asia.   That is why the Korean government is stressing the balanced development of inter-Korean relations in the security and economic fields, rather than focusing on one-sided economic assistance.

 

   Since the launch of the current administration, tangible progress has been made at the government and private sector levels.

 

 

   The government-level meetings between the two Koreas have become institutionalized.   A total of 64 meetings, including five rounds of Ministerial Meetings and the two rounds of the historic General-level Military Talks have been held.   At the Foreign Ministers' Meeting between the two Koreas during the ASEAN Regional Forum in Jakarta, I agreed with my North Korean counterpart to open a diplomatic channel in New York.

 

   At the same time, the two Koreas have been making progress in major projects for economic cooperation.

 

   Steady progress is also being made in the reconnection of  roads and railways, which are due to be completed by the end of October and next year, respectively.

 

   The improvements in transportation infrastructure will represent significant progress in two main areas.   That is, the development of further inter-Korean economic cooperation and the link with Trans-Siberia railways and Chinese transportation lines.   As such, this project holds promise for a new era of common prosperity in Northeast Asia.

 

   Moreover, the pilot project for the 90 thousand square meters Gaesung Industrial Complex will be launched during the latter part of this year.   This project will be a good opportunity for small and medium South Korean enterprises to become more competitive and benefit from North Korea's labor and land.

 

 

 

 

   The rise in such inter-Korean interaction and interdependence will help to foster an atmosphere conducive to achieving cooperation with North Korea.   Furthermore, inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation will certainly contribute to  the consolidation of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.

 

   In this regard, I wish to renew our thanks for New Zealand's support for the Korean government's peace and prosperity policy, as well as its contribution to KEDO.

 

   We also welcome New Zealand's active contribution to the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue as well as its provision of humanitarian aid to the North.

 

 

   I am convinced that New Zealand's assistance will be of great help in encouraging North Korea onto the path of openness and cooperation in the near future.  

 

   We look to New Zealand for its continued cooperation to achieve lasting peace and common prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.   Our common efforts to achieve this goal will offer new grounds for greater cooperation in regional affairs.

 

(ROK-US alliance)

 

   Distinguished Guests!

 

   I would like to turn to the realignment of the ROK-US alliance, which has emerged as a vital security issue in Korea.   

 

   The alliance with the United States has served as the bedrock for Korea's peace and prosperity.  Currently it is undergoing an important transformation with the changing security environment at global and regional levels as well as advances in military technology.

 

   After eleven rounds of the "Future of the ROK-US Alliance Policy Initiative" meetings since last year, the two countries finally initialed the umbrella agreement and the implementation agreement on the relocation of the USFK bases in Korea last week.

 

   In dealing with the reduction of the US forces in Korea,  both sides share a common understanding that the reduction should be carried out in a manner that will enhance combined defence capabilities, without causing Koreans and foreigners any security concern.

   There is no doubt that with the United States' firm commitment to security on the Korean peninsula, Korea and the United States will continue to maintain its alliance as the central pillar for the mid-to-long term peace and prosperity in and around the Korean Peninsula.

 

(Contribution to peace and reconstruction in Iraq and the Afghanistan)

 

   Now, I wish to turn to regional and global issues.   Korea's contribution to peace and reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan is of great political significance in Korea.   

 

   Through domestic consensus building, the Korean government has decided to deploy medical and construction units to Iraq and Afghanistan and provide Iraq with financial aid of about 260 million dollars over five years.

   Our decision stems from our firm commitment to the values of democracy and freedom embraced throughout the world.   Commensurate with its national capabilities and its status, Korea feels it is time to repay the international community for the generous assistance it received during its time of need in the 1950's.

 

   Last June, Korea suffered the pain of the tragic death of a Korean civilian hostage at the hands of terrorists in Iraq.   However, the Korean people and government, not succumbing to the terrorists, have honoured the commitment to dispatch an additional 3,000 troops to Iraq, steadfast in its aim of contributing to peace and reconstruction in Iraq.

 

   It is our sincere hope that with international support, the situation in Iraq will be stabilized as soon as possible and a democratic government will be built.

(Korea's investment & Trade Liberalization and Regional Cooperation)

 

   Distinguished Guests!

 

   The Korean government places great importance on the expansion of investment and trade liberalization, as well as regional economic cooperation.

 

   In this regard, the Korean government is making great efforts to create a more business friendly environment in Korea.   Comprehensive measurers are being taken to apply global standards in the management of its economy.

 

   Moreover, the Korean government is pursuing its vision of turning Korea into economic hubs of logistics, business and finance in Northeast Asia.

   In our pursuit of this goal, we invite you to join us in investment and economic interactions for greater mutual benefits.

 

   As the 12th largest economy in the world, and relying on foreign trade which accounts for as much as 62% of its GDP, Korea attaches strong importance to the WTO Doha Development Agenda negotiations.   

 

   Korea has been actively participating in the negotiations, recognizing that multilateral efforts are the prime way to open global markets and strengthen world trade rules.    

 

   Korea welcomes the recent agreement in Geneva on the framework for the DDA negotiations as a road map for further negotiations.

 

   All WTO member countries have economic sectors that will benefit from the outcome of the negotiations, and sectors that will suffer difficulties.   Therefore, the final agreement in the Doha Round negotiations will be made possible when all WTO members show a spirit of compromise and cooperation.   

 

   I hope that Korea and New Zealand can work together to bring about the successful conclusion of the Doha Round negotiations.

 

   In a broader perspective of regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, Korea is actively seeking to strengthen the efforts through multilateral forums, such as APEC.   Since the creation of APEC, our two countries have been cooperating closely to foster conditions favourable to progress in the liberalization of trade and investment, as well as economic and technological cooperation.   

   Again, my government looks forward to New Zealand's full support for Korea's preparations to host the 2005 APEC.   It is our sincere hope that Korea and New Zealand will be able to play leading roles in creating an economic community in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

   Ladies and Gentlemen!

 

   The seeds of our friendship were sown five decades ago with New Zealand's participation under the UN banner in      the defence of Korea.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

   The roots of friendship run deep.   The Korean people will never forget the sacrifice of New Zealanders in defending the freedom and democracy of my country.   Today our ties of friendship are grounded in a spirit of sound cooperation and mutual benefit.   The increasing people-to-people exchanges and growing bilateral trade are all strong foundations for further progress in our relations.

 

   Yet there is still great untapped potential to cultivate for greater mutually beneficial cooperation.   The fields of IT, bio-engineering and high value-added creative industries in particular stand out, offering great future opportunities.  

 

 

 

 

 

   In this regard, I welcome the ongoing discussions on joint film production.  The early conclusion of an agreement on the joint production of films will present both countries with invaluable opportunities to deepen our ties.

 

   In reviewing the range of areas for development, I am optimistic about further progress in our relations.   

 

   Firstly, our two countries share the common values of democracy and an open economy.   As such, there is still vast untapped potential for cooperation to explore.

 

   Secondly, the peoples of our countries are both strong and resilient in spirit which has always served them to overcome any difficulties and to move forward.

   Thirdly, our two governments are both working towards a transparent welfare society, with great priority on international cooperation.

 

   Moreover, Korea and New Zealand both enjoy strategic importance in their respective regions.   Korea is recognized as an important bridge for advancing into  Northeast Asia and beyond.   Likewise, New Zealand is in a position to function as a gateway for forging various contacts in the South Pacific region.   There is, therefore, a solid common ground to build on to enlarge the horizon for our cooperation.

 

   Making full use of all these advantages, I am convinced that we can intensify our partnership not only to our own mutual benefit but indeed to the advantage of the Asia-Pacific region as a whole.

   By strengthening our links we will be able to build a more prosperous community in the region.   I look forward to the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Korea-New Zealand Business Council continuing to play pioneering roles in linking entrepreneurs of Korea and New Zealand.   

 

   I firmly believe that together with your active contributions and creative activities, we will succeed in developing an even more dynamic partnership between our two countries.   Thank you.

 

                                /END/