As Prepared:
1. Introduction
(IISS 소장, 개회사에서천안함관련애도표명시)
On behalf of the government of the Republic of Korea, I would like to first convey my sincere appreciation for the words of condolence extended by IISS Director Dr. John Chipman and many others regarding the "Cheonan" incident. Their kind words will be of great comfort to the bereaved families and the Korean people.
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Distinguished defense ministers and security experts from the Asia-Pacific and Europe participating in the 9th Asia Security Summit - It is my great honor to have the opportunity to speak at this meaningful forum.
I would like to express my gratitude to IISS Director Dr. John Chipman and members of the government of Singapore, who work hard to prepare this valuable occasion on an annual basis.
The Asia Security Summit has taken its place as the principal forum for defense talks within the region since its inception in 2002.
In his keynote address yesterday, President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea emphasized the pursuit of common prosperity through national cooperation within the Asia-Pacific.
On this note, it is my sincere hope that this year's Asia Security Summit will serve as a meaningful opportunity to pool our collective wisdom as we seek peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific.
My presentation on "Asia-Pacific Security and Partnerships" will be given from the perspective of the Republic of Korea.
2. Assessment of the Security Climate of the Asia-Pacific
The Asia-Pacific of the present is the most dynamic region in the world in terms of its politics, military and economics.
The Asia-Pacific is responsible for approximately 60% of the globe's GDP and 40% of its trade. The region is well on its way to becoming the focal point of global economics with the deepening of mutual cooperation between regional nations such as the United States, Japan and China.
However, the potential for instability is also inherent.
The Asia-Pacific is responsible for roughly 61% of the world's military expenditures. Potential conflicts stemming from territorial, resource, and ethnic issues exist alongside transnational and non-military threats such as terrorism, epidemics, and natural disasters.
The saddest reality we face is that even today, with the Cold War between the East and the West having been completed with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the world seeking various modes of security cooperation in order to secure common prosperity and stability, a barrier of ideologies and remnants of the Cold War still remain on the Korean peninsula.
Almost 1.8 million heavily armed South and North Korean troops stand across one another along the 155-mile long armistice line.
North Korea, despite chronic economic hardships including food and energy shortages, continues its buildup of conventional forces under the banner of "military-first politics."
In addition, North Korea has committed itself to the development of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles despite the diverse efforts of the international society.
On 26 March, the Republic of Korea Ship "Cheonan" was sunk while conducting a patrol mission in the vicinity of Baekryong Island in our northwestern waters, resulting in 46 crew members being killed or missing in action.
The government of the Republic of Korea, forming the Multinational Civilian-Military Joint Investigation Group composed of experts from ROK as well as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden and Canada, conducted a scientific and objective investigation into the cause of the sinking.
Over the course of this investigation, we recovered decisive evidence from the seabed of the site of the sinking. These pieces of evidence include a propeller, propulsion motor and steering section from a torpedo.
These pieces of evidence are identical to the schematic of the CHT-02D torpedo included in weapons introductory materials made by North Korea for export purposes. In addition, the amorphous aluminum oxide found throughout the recovered torpedo parts were identical to the substances found on various points on the hull of the "Cheonan," further verifying the direct connection between these pieces of evidence and the sinking of the "Cheonan."
Furthermore, a marking in Korean, which reads "No. 1" in English, found inside the end of the propulsion section, is identical in form to the marking of a previously obtained North Korean torpedo.
A comprehensive synthesis of the decisive evidence, hull deformation, results of explosives analysis and underwater explosion simulation led the Multinational Civilian-Military Joint Investigation Group to reach the conclusion that the "Cheonan" was sunk due to an underwater explosion caused by a North Korean torpedo attack.
This incident, with North Korea violating our territorial waters to commit an armed attack against our naval vessel, is an act of military provocation that clearly violates the United Nations Charter and the Armistice Agreement.
Moreover, this act, which severely damages the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula, as well as that of Northeast Asia and the world, cannot be tolerated.
The government of the Republic of Korea will closely coordinate with the international community in taking stern and resolute measures against North Korean provocations.
We will disallow North Korean vessels from navigating in our territorial waters and fully suspend economic exchange and cooperation with North Korea. However, we will maintain humanitarian aid for the support of infants and toddlers. Also, given the special circumstances of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, we will continue to review our position on this matter.
Our government will bring the "Cheonan" incident to the United Nations Security Council for international sanctions and strengthen our participation in the Proliferation Security Initiative.
The international community must unite to clearly show North Korea that there comes a corresponding price to pay and responsibility to take for any wrongdoing.
I ask for your active support and encouragement in ensuring that North Korea does not repeat its misdeeds in the future.
3. ROK Efforts Toward Asia-Pacific Security Cooperation
Ladies and gentlemen!
As a regional medium power, the Republic of Korea is currently investing considerable efforts into security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific.
I will explain the specifics of the Republic of Korea's endeavors toward regional and global security. I will begin with the Korean peninsula and move on to Northeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific and the world.
First, Promotion of peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
Our government, while deterring the North Korean threat through a robust military readiness posture, is pursuing sincere dialogue with an open mind in order to bring about the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue and the development of a South-North relationship of co-existence and mutual prosperity.
President Lee has emphasized that he will move forward with a new peace initiative on the Korean peninsula if North Korea gives clear indication of renouncing its nuclear ambitions. Additionally, he has suggested a Grand Bargain to fundamentally resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.
By promising certain security and international economic aid upon North Korea giving up key aspects of its nuclear program, the Grand Bargain is an option that can essentially resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.
Our government is actively going forward with a two-track approach of concurrently pursuing sanctions and dialogue based upon international cooperation to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue in a timely manner and establish peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
Second, Pursuit of peace and stability in Northeast Asia.
By increasing military trust and strengthening partnerships with countries within the region, the Republic of Korea is striving to preemptively prevent potential conflicts and disputes.
Korea and Japan have agreed to ｢A Letter of Intent on ROK-Japan Defense Exchange｣ befitting our status as a "mature partnership". As such, the two countries are deepening and expanding the levels of cooperation in various areas such as search and rescue exercises and peacekeeping operations.
Since the elevation of our bilateral relationships with China and Russia to that of a "strategic cooperative partnership," we have increased the cooperation in security area through the exchange of senior military personnel, operation of policy coordination bodies, and establishment of hotlines between the regional commands within each nation.
These efforts will greatly contribute to the establishment of a the multilateral security cooperative framework in Northeast Asia in the medium to long-term.
Third, Participation in multilateral security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Republic of Korea is participating in the Asia-Pacific region's multilateral security cooperative efforts in order to actively meet transnational and non-military threats.
We have participated in the Asia Security Summit since its inception, with the participation of Ministers of National Defense since 2004. This is the background behind which I stand before you today.
Within the ASEAN Regional Forum, the Republic of Korea successfully served as a co-chair along with Singapore in 2009 in Inter-sessional Support Group Meeting on Confidence Building Measures and Preventive Diplomacy.
In March of this year, we also co-chaired the ARF PKO Experts' Meeting with Thailand.
In addition, we have strengthened our partnership with ASEAN nations in securing the safety of the Malacca Straits. The Republic of Korea, in this regard, has provided financial and technical support to ReCAAP* Information Sharing Centre and the Marine Electronic Highway Project.
*ReCAAP(Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against ships in Asia) : 아시아해적퇴치협정
We have also continued our participation in multilateral exercises such as GPOI(Global Peace Operations Initiative), Cobra Gold and Khaan Quest. At the same time, we are expanding our partnerships with Asia-Pacific nations, such as those within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC) and Oceania.
Fourth, Playing a constructive role in resolving global security challenges.
Currently, approximately 1,000 Korean Armed Forces personnel are participating in international peacekeeping activities in 17 regions of 14 countries.
A force of roughly 360 personnel, mostly consisting of the Army, are stationed in Lebanon to conduct peacekeeping missions while a destroyer is participating in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden off the Somalian coast.
In February, we dispatched a support group of approximately 240 personnel composed of engineering and medical units to provide support to the reconstruction of Haiti following the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
Next month, a joint civilian-military Provincial Reconstruction Team of approximately 500 personnel will be deployed to support reconstruction and recovery efforts in Afghanistan.
With our deployment of a Provincial Reconstruction Team to Afghanistan and our participation in the International Security Assistance Force(ISAF), the Republic of Korea is in the midst of forming a new cooperative relationship with NATO as well.
Furthermore, we have operated a standing force of roughly 3,000 personnel for overseas deployment since December 2009 to maintain a prompt and speedy deployment readiness posture.
Under the vision of a "Global Korea," the government of the Republic of Korea will continue to play an active and responsible role in the international community to address the global issues.
4. Conclusion
Ladies and gentlemen!
We must strengthen our regional and international security cooperation if we are to face the diverse and complex security threats of today.
The geopolitical location of the Republic of Korea allows us to serve as a bridge between Northeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific. Our national power also allows us to play a mediating role between the interests of advanced and developing nations.
The Republic of Korea will fully utilize this status to expand our role in establishing the partnerships necessary for Asia-Pacific security and world peace.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
The Republic of Korea is aiming to become a "Global Korea". The Republic of Korea, as a Global Korea, seeks justice and peace, mutual prosperity and a global mind.
We will strive to ensure that this spirit of peace and prosperity from the Korean peninsula can spread onward to Northeast Asia and the whole world.
The remnants of the Cold War that still exist on the Korean peninsula is a critical factor in causing instability in the security environment and obstructing the common prosperity of Northeast Asia and the world.
I propose that the international community stand together to collectively work towards the clean removal of these vestiges of the Cold War and facilitate the timely return of North Korea to the international community as a regular and responsible member.
Thank you.
