Seoul Asks NK for Transparent Rice Distribution
2003-05-20
Seoul demanded transparency in the distribution of rice aid to the North as well as the right to discuss the nuclear issue during the first round of inter-Korean talks in Pyeongyang on Tuesday (May 20).
The mission from the South, headed by Vice Finance and Economy Minister Kim Kwang-lim, began on Tuesday morning, with the North saying earlier that it is inappropriate to link the nuclear issue with the contribution of rice.
Earlier, President Roh Moo-hyun had said the sending of rice to the North will be strictly for humanitarian purposes and should have no bearing on other aspects of South-North relations.
But Kim and his delegates were firm in pushing through the three basic principles of the provision of rice to the North, including establishing South-North exchanges.
Seoul demanded transparent rice distribution and a resolution of the nuclear problem through talks between South and North Korea, with the Seoul delegation insisting that the nuclear problem must not be further aggravated.
“It is essential that we know the rice is reaching impoverished citizens rather than feeding the military,” Kim said before the meeting began yesterday morning.
“We will need further discussions to determine how the rice is going to be distributed. This is a firm precondition for sending the rice to the North,” he added.
The comments from Kim contradict those from Unification Minister Jeung Se-hyun, who told the National Assembly Monday that the provision of rice will not be linked with discussions on the nuclear issue.
However, Kim has made it clear that the rice donation will not be without preconditions and that the mission hopes to reap specific results from the ongoing talks.
On the other hand, representatives from the North are believed to have insisted that the nuclear issue be left out of the talks since the meeting is designed to discuss economic cooperation.
Still, Park Chang-ryon, the senior representative from the North and first vice chairman of the State Planning Commission, asked about the Roh administration's policies on Pyongyang, referring to the results of last week's summit meeting between Roh and U.S. President George W. Bush, indicating Pyongyang's displeasure on recent developments.
However, Park did not elaborate on his question, apparently wanting to avoid linking economic cooperation and other issues between South and North Korea
Source : www.korea.net
