Talks focus on impact of Korean ‘thaw’

Date: 13/07/2000

By Simon Taylor

EXTERNAL Relations Commissioner Chris Patten will meet South Korean Foreign Minister Chong-pin Yi in Bangkok next week to assess the implications of the recent thaw in north-south relations.

Hopes of a new era in ties with the region have risen since the historic meeting on 13 June between the leaders of the two republics, which have been divided since the 1950s. European Commission President Romano Prodi welcomed the dialogue, saying it was "essential to reducing tensions along the world's last Cold War frontier and to promoting regional peace and stability".

EU governments are monitoring developments in relations between Seoul and Pyongyang closely, not least for signs of evidence to support their argument that North Korea does not pose a serious threat to US security. Washington and Brussels are split over US plans to install an anti-ballistic missile shield to protect against attacks from rogue countries such as North Korea, with Union governments warning that this risks setting off a new arms race if Russia and China increase their nuclear arsenals to restore the balance of power.

The Union has been a major player in efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region. Together with the US, Japan and South Korea, it is a member of the executive board of the Korean Peninsular Energy Development Organisation (KEDO) which encourages North Korea to switch to using western-built power plants.

At next week's meeting, Patten and Yi will also discuss a range of economic issues, including the progress made by Seoul in restructuring its economy and opening its markets up to international investment.

Relations have in the past been marred by disputes over access to Korea's car market and allegations of unfair subsidies for the country's shipbuilders, but a range of initiatives have started producing positive results.

External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten is to meet South Korean Foreign Minister Chong-Pin Yi in Bangkok to assess the implications of the recent thaw in north-south relations.