“Strategic Cooperative Companion Relations”

President Lee Myung Bak and Chinese President Hu Jintao agreed Monday to pursue a “strategic cooperative companion relationship” at the South Korea-China summit at the Blue House.

The Presidents sealed a joint statement covering five political issues, seventeen economic issues, six cultural exchange issues and six international cooperation issues, aiming to closely cooperate and exchange with each other in the fields of politics, diplomacy, economy, society and culture, save the military field.

In the joint statement, the specific direction and purpose of the relationship which was agreed at the first summit in May was put forward.

Hallym University’s Professor Kim Tae Ho said that “The most significant aspect of this summit is that both leaders made efforts to embody ‘strategic cooperative companion relations.’” Additionally, he evaluated the summit by saying that “It is significant that geographical and international affairs as well as bilateral affairs were dealt with.”

Chinese Department professor at Kwangwoon University Shin Sang Jin offered this analysis, “Now, we cannot emphasize strategically our security alliance with only the U.S. Through this summit, South Korea has placed a stepping stone in developing strategic relations with China and using the alliance with the U.S. to keep a balance.”

He said it was a considerable result.

However, the two countries positions regarding North Korean affairs were not revealed at this summit.

Regarding North Korean issues, President Lee asked President Hu to stop forcibly repatriating defectors and to open the channels between South and North Koreas. However, President Hu avoided commenting on the defectors issue, merely reiterating his principle that “China will play a role if South and North Korea solve their problems through dialogue.”

Regarding nuclear issues, both leaders confirmed only the principles that “Through the Six Party Talks framework, negotiations and cooperation should be strengthened and the second phase measures implemented in a balanced way.”

Senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification Choi Joon Heum explained that “The Chinese government does not approve of the Lee administration’s policy towards North Korea, which was suddenly changed after the Roh Moo Hyun administration. However, President Hu showed an advanced attitude because the messages about reconciliation and cooperation are aimed at both South and North Korea.”

Professor Shin Sang Jin evaluated that “It is a pity that South Korea and China did not discuss the details of North Korea issues from their hearts.”

Professor Kim Tae Ho also emphasized that “Although China stated a good-neighbor policy and peace as its foreign policy, there were no details from them in the statement. Even though they are thorny, the issues of defectors in China and reunification should be continually negotiated about on the administrative level.”