[imText1]The 30 day limit at which distinct working groups are to form independent of the 5 areas as a result of the six party talks “Feb 13 Agreement” is drawing near.
According to the Feb 13 Agreement, each country is to conduct working groups incorporating governmental officials and experts to discuss measures and settlement proposals.
Representatives of each nation participating in the six party talks agreed that a major breakthrough had been made on the issue of North Korea’s nukes and that the working groups would supervise the original and suitable measures for the disarmament of North Korea’s nuclear weapons.
The working groups comprising of 5 categories include ▲ Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula ▲ Economic and energy collaboration ▲ Normalization of U.S.-North Korea relations ▲ Normalization of Japan-North Korea relations and for ▲ Peace and security in the North East Asian region.
Each working group will be initiated simultaneously before the next session of six party talks on March 19th.
However, Japan’s Kyodo News reported on the 25th that plans for U.S.-North Korea and Japan-North Korea working groups were already being examined. The newspaper informed that the U.S.-North Korea, Japan-North Korea working group would be the first to be established on March 5th followed by the remaining working groups to be opened the week after.
◆ Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula = Following the Lunar New Year holiday, it seems that Chinese officials have now officially commenced duties as chairman for this working group.
This group is gaining the greatest focus as the purpose of this working group includes all the articles for the disarmament of North Korea’s nukes, as well as settling Article 1 of the Sept 19 Joint Declaration.
In particular, with General Director of IAEA Mohamed ElBaradei’s invitation to North Korea, many predict that the pace of the nuclear discussion will increase. It seems that the agenda of this working group will be adjusted to the dates surrounding Director ElBaradei’s visit to North Korea.
Nonetheless, as the Denuclearization working group comprises all the issues regarding North Korea surrendering its nuclear weapons and plans, as well as partaking in the Nonproliferation Treaty and IAEA, many argue that this matter will be a tough one to crack. In addition, there are many mountains to cross such as the issue of light-water reactions and the HEU program.
◆ Collaboration of economy and energy = Sept 19 Joint Declaration, Article 3 stating that China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the U.S. to willingly offer energy assistance to North Korea. This working group will also discuss South Korea’s proposal of providing 2mn kilowatts of energy.
Our government who will chair this working group is placed with the greater burden of being more ready than others, as North Korea must be provided with 50,000 tons of fuel and energy in sync with the implementation of preliminary measures in dismantling the Yongbyun nuclear facilities and subsequent inspections by the IAEA.
South Korea’s chief negotiator to the six party talks, Chun Yung Woo, Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs revealed that proposals were being drafted for meetings to begin on March 12th and indicated of the high chances that these talks would take place in Beijing.
◆ Normalization of U.S.-North Korea relations = Sept 19 Joint Declaration, Article 2. Negotiations will be made regarding the bilateral relations and policies in a peaceful manner with respects to each other’s sovereignty.
North Korea’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kim Kye Gwan is planned to visit the U.S. on March 1st, to participate in the Normalization of U.S.-North Korea relations working group in New York.
At this meeting, plans to implement the Feb 13 Agreement and remove terrorist support nations will be discussed as well as negotiations on the initial measures to end trade legislation. Particularly, while Minister Kim is in the U.S., it seems that part of North Korea’s frozen accounts caught in BDA will be removed which will provide a stronger foundation for the two parties to engage in talks.
Some speculate that Minister Kim will even invite U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to North Korea.
◆ Normalization of Japan-North Korea relations = Sept 19 Joint Declaration, Article 2. states that the two nations promise to make efforts in normalizing bilateral relations in accordance with the Pyongyang Declaration and settlement of past and outstanding issues.
As Japanese officials display a position that no energy would be supported unless the abductees issue is resolved, it is likely that this issue will be on the forefront attack in normalizing the bilateral relations.
At a meeting with abductees victims, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe revealed that the Japan-North Korea working group would push for the return of all abductee victims and missing persons. Aso Taro, Japan’s Foreign Minister also raised alarms warning that additional sanctions could be made against North Korea if they displayed no sincere response.
It seems that the Japan-North Korea working group will be opened in Beijing and that the North will send Song Il Ho, Foreign Affairs Minister responsible for the normalization of North Korea-Japan relations, as their representative.
◆ Peace and security in the North East Asian region = Sept 19 Joint Declaration, Article 4. This working group will concretize that the 5 nations in the North East Asian region will negotiate a permanent regime ensuring the peace and security of the Asian region.
Russia who will chair this working group has yet to make any direct plans as it maintains that preparations to ensure long-term peace in the region could only be made after North Korea’s nuclear issue had been settled.
Imminently is the fact that this meeting continues to be postponed and has made no real progress even until today.
