8-06-09,10:34 am

Original source: Global Times

Yesterday, former US President Bill Clinton flew back to the US with two American journalists who had been detained in North Korea for four months and were granted a “special pardon” after Clinton had a rare meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

Many citizens of the other members of the stalled Six-Party Talks aimed at halting the North’s nuclearization – China, South Korea, Japan and Russia – predominantly viewed the visit as a sign that the tense relationship between North Korea and the US could ease, possibly signaling a turning point after the UN sanctioned North Korea for its nuclear program.

However, it is too early to be optimistic that Clinton’s visit will have a positive long-term impact. In the past decades, similar diplomacy has occurred. In 1994, former US President Jimmy Carter visited North Korea. In 2000, US Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright visited the country. Last year, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra performed in Pyongyang. However, all these “historic” visits were only symbolic and did not bring real progress on the nuclear issue.

Since North Korea conducted its second nuclear test in May, the international community has been seeking solutions to break the diplomatic deadlock. Some suggested holding five-party talks that would exclude North Korea in order to push it to give up its nuclear program. Some wanted to deploy missiles on the peninsula.

However, regardless of what plan any country wants to employ with North Korea, it must bear in mind the nuclear issue concerns every country in Northeast Asia, including China.

The tense situation on the Korean Peninsula does not suit the interests of China. The Six-Party Talks are a good platform to settle the nuclear issue through dialogue. But many Chinese are worried that the talks face the threat of being marginalized. If the talks cannot be resumed, denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula will not be achieved. Only the Six-Party Talks can lead to a fundamental solution serving the interests of all parties concerned.

We are happy to see North Korea and the US sit down to talk. However, the talks must help the resumption of the Six-Party Talks and the denuclearization of the peninsula. That goal can only be realized if the US and North Korea make sincere, substantial efforts.