1. Opening Remarks

Honorable Chairman Ko Hak-yong of the Korea Press Foundation,
Members of the Foreign Press,

It is indeed a great pleasure to be here with all of you today.

It is a great privilege to have this opportunity to share some thoughts on the theme of the "Changing Diplomatic Environment and the Korean Peninsula."

Due to time restraints, I will mainly focus today on the North Korean nuclear issue, which I know is a matter of great interest to many of you, as well as the diplomatic policies of Korea to achieve the vision of emerging as a "Global Korea."
 
2. Changes in the Diplomatic Environment on the Korean Peninsula and in the World in the 21st Century

【Changes in diplomatic environment in the world】

In today's world the diplomatic environment is changing rapidly.

With the deepening of globalization, global issues are coming to the fore: such as the financial crisis, terrorism and climate change. There is a keener need than ever for close international cooperation.

In particular, the financial crisis has served to bring renewed appreciation of the importance of international cooperation in today's highly interdependent world.
 
There has been a paradigm shift in diplomacy, with all countries recognizing the need, whilst also pursuing their own interests, to build closer ties of cooperation.
 
It is with the fundamental changes in the diplomatic environment that it has been possible to swiftly achieve the institutionalization of the G20 Summit, which aims to overcome the financial crisis.

【Changes in the Diplomatic Environment on the Korean Peninsula】
 
As you know, the Obama administration was launched in the US earlier this year and in Japan in September there was the first real change in administration in 54 years.
 
Along with these transitions, the rise of China and the greater presence of Russia are all contributing to the changes in the diplomatic environment on the Korean Peninsula.
 
Moreover, the North Korean nuclear issue continues to be a serious threat to the peace and security not only on the Korean Peninsula but in the Northeast Asian region as a whole.
 
【Strengthened Cooperation in Northeast Asia】

The Korean Government pursued active summit-level diplomacy last month, participating in the United Nations Summit on Climate Change, the United Nations General Assembly, and the G20 Pittsburgh Summit.

The active momentum for cooperative diplomacy continued into this month in Northeast Asia with the 2nd Trilateral Summit Meeting among China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
 
The three countries consolidated the foundation for their substantive cooperation with the adoption of the ‘Joint Statement on the 10th Anniversary of China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Cooperation' and the 'ROK-China-Japan Joint Statement on Sustainable Development,' and by agreeing to hold a
Business Summit among the three countries.

The foundation has been strengthened not only for the trilateral cooperation but indeed for cooperation at the bilateral level.

Within seven months of taking office, the Lee Myung-bak administration succeeded in holding summit meetings with Korea's neighboring countries and establishing a strategic cooperative network with them.

Korea will develop a 'Strategic Alliance for the 21st Century' with the US, a 'Future-oriented Mature Partnership' with Japan and a 'Strategic Cooperative Partnership' with both China and Russia.

【Diplomatic Vision for a Global Korea】

With ever increasing regional cooperation surrounding the peninsula, Korea, in pursuit of its vision of achieving a truly "Global Korea", is exerting efforts to contribute responsibly to the international community while strengthening cooperation not only with countries in the region but indeed countries all around the world.

Indeed, it is Korea's aspiration to overcome any regional barriers and contribute to the peace and prosperity around the world.

Through these endeavors, Korea recognizes that it can become a member of the advanced leading countries of the world, i.e. "Global Korea".

Above all, Korea views the North Korean nuclear issue as the greatest obstacle to peace taking deep root and has therefore placed the highest priority on resolving this issue.

3. Diplomatic Policies to Resolve the North Korean Nuclear Issue

【Current Status of the North Korean Nuclear Issue】

North Korea has taken a series of provocative actions this year; launching a long-range rocket in April and conducting a second nuclear test in May.

The international community demonstrated a resolute response by adopting the
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Presidential Statement in April and the UNSC Resolution 1874 in June, and by faithfully implementing the sanctions on North Korea.

In response, following the invitation of the former US President Bill Clinton to North Korea in August, North Korea began to show a softening in its stance, with the release of the two detained US reporters, the dispatch of a delegation to the funeral of Korea's former President and the reunion of separated family members.
 
On the occasion of the recent visit by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, North Korea maintained that its efforts for denuclearization remain unchanged, and expressed its willingness to participate in the Six-Party Talks and other multilateral talks depending on the outcome of its bilateral talks with the US.

In spite of these gestures, however, there is no real ground as yet to view the North's softening stance as an indication of fundamental change in its position on the nuclear issue.

In the letter of September 3, addressed to the UNSC Chairman, North Korea revealed its ongoing nuclear activities, including the weaponized plutonium and the uranium enrichment efforts, and on October 12 it fired its short-range missiles for the third time this year.

The North is also reiterating its original position that prior to any multilateral talks, including the Six-Party Talks, its  hostile relations with the US should be converted into peaceful relations through the bilateral talks.
 
【No tolerance of nuclear weapons in North Korea】

I would like to share some thoughts on the policies that the Korean Government is pursuing in the present situation regarding the North Korean nuclear issue.

First, the Korean Government remains firm in the stance that it cannot recognize North Korea as a nuclear-weapon state and remains committed to the efforts for the complete denuclearization of the North.

The nonproliferation of WMDs, including nuclear arms, is a global as well as an inter-Korean issue, requiring the united efforts of the international community and this is assuming increasing importance.

The Nuclear Security Summit proposed by President Obama will be held in April next year, and the Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference is scheduled for the following month of May.

The crucial issues of non-proliferation and denuclearization of North Korea are closely interlinked.
 
As failing to address the matter of the denuclearization of North Korea will seriously undermine the international nonproliferation regime, North Korea's nuclear weapons should be completely dismantled for the security not only of the Korean Peninsula but also of the world.

【Two-Track Approach】

Second, Korea is taking a two-track approach : while implementing the UN Security Council sanctions, leaving the door open for North Korea to return to the dialogue table.

North Korea's clear breach of the agreements reached in the Six-Party Talks and their continued nuclear tests have made it clear to the countries concerned that a lukewarm response toward bad behaviour by North Korea will not bring any changes in the North's conduct.
 
As a result, even China and Russia, traditional friends of North Korea, as well as Korea, the US and Japan, all share the view that they should continue to implement the Security Council's resolutions on North Korea until it comes up with concrete denuclearization measures.

The important thing to bear in mind is that these sanctions are imposed not for the sake of taking sanctions but rather with the aim of bringing the North back to the dialogue table.

Korea will continue to implement the two-track approach so as to encourage North Korea to choose the right path.

【Denuclearization through the Six Party Talks】

Third, the Korean government is continuously exerting efforts for the denuclearization of North Korea through the Six-Party Talks.

Korea, the U.S., Japan, China and Russia share a common understanding that the Six-Party Talks serves as the most effective mechanism for resolving the North Korean nuclear issue.

The U.S-North Korea talks which are currently the focus of the attention of the international community will be held within the Six-Party Talks framework.

The talks are intended to engage North Korea into the Six-Party Talks and rekindle the efforts for the denuclearization of North Korea.

The U.S Government has also made it clear that the negotiations for North Korea's denuclearization should take place within the Six-Party Talks framework.

【The North Korean Nuclear Issue and Inter-Korean Relations】

Fourth, Korea seeks to strengthen inter-Korean relations through the denuclearization of North Korea.

Recently the two Koreas held a reunion for dispersed family members and held a working-level meeting to discuss measures to prevent flooding on the Imjin River as well as a working-level meeting between the Red Cross societies of the two sides. The South Korean Government will continue to monitor the progress in the inter-Korean dialogue.

North Korea's sincere response with respect to the dialogue on North Korean denuclearization will be a decisive factor in demonstrating its sincere intention to achieve advances in inter-Korean relations.

Since a nuclear armed North Korea represents a great obstacle to cooperation and co-existence with the South, denuclearization is a top priority in our policy. The South Korean Government stands ready to actively assist North Korea when the North demonstrates its sincere stance to abandon its nuclear weapons and programs.

Moreover, as President Lee Myung-bak has proposed, Korea is engaging in consultations with the countries concerned on the Grand Bargain initiative, a comprehensive deal encompassing the key steps for the denuclearization of North Korea and the measures that North Korea wants to get in return.

If North Korea sincerely wishes to see progresses in inter-Korean relations, it should promptly return to the Six-Party Talks, and demonstrate that it really has taken a strategic decision for denuclearization.

4. Policies for the Achievement of a Global Korea

In addition to working to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula, the Korean Government is pursuing various efforts to contribute to peace and prosperity in the international community.

By actively participating in the discussions on global governance to tackle global issues, Korea is making various efforts to firmly secure its standing as a truly Global Korea in the international community, while contributing to strengthening international cooperation.
   
The Korean Government has actively participated in the G20 Summits in order to contribute to the efforts dedicated to overcoming the global financial crisis.
 
As a result, participants in the Pittsburgh Summit unanimously decided upon Korea as the host for the G20 Summit which is scheduled to be held in November 2010.

The G20 Summit has become a premier forum for international economic cooperation, and is expected to become an annual, institutionalized gathering.

Korea will continue to exert further efforts to contribute to the development and success of the G20 Summit.

Second, Korea has played a valuable part in heightening awareness in the international community on  the issue of climate change by voluntarily announcing its GHG(greenhouse gas) mitigation targets.

The Korean Government is also pursuing the 'East Asia Climate ChangePartnership' program designed to provide developing countries with USD 200 million over the five years from 2008 to promote green growth.

Korea will also play an active role in the Climate Change Conference which will take place in Copenhagen this December. 

Third, Korea is playing an active role in resolving other global issues such as promoting international peace, countering terrorism, fighting poverty in developing countries etc.

The Korean Government has dispatched the naval unit Chonghae to participate in the efforts to counter pirates in Somali waters and is planning to increase the number of PKO troops which currently stands at around 400.

Furthermore, Korea plans to increase its ODA which currently only accounts for 0.09% of the nation's GNI to 0.25% by 2015.

The Korean Government's efforts to increase its ODA will continue as it joins the OECD DAC(Development Assistance Committee) next year and with the hosting of the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in 2011.

5. Closing Remarks

I believe that foreign correspondents and diplomats have a great deal in common.

They both travel around the world, react swiftly to changes in the international  environment, and play a bridging role between their own countries and the world.

Since the two groups share many common qualities, I believe we can work together in many areas with a great width of mutual understanding.

I truly hope today's seminar will be valuable in providing a deeper  understanding of Korea's diplomatic situation and its foreign policies. I also hope that this occasion has been a valuable opportunity to foster closer ties with the Foreign Ministry.
  
I would request your continued interest in Korea's foreign policies and your support, as these will be of great value in ensuring that Korea does indeed emerge as a truly Global Korea.
 
 Thank you.