SOUTH KOREA: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Kurt Campbell looks for closer dialogue with China over North Korea

Record ID: 187116

  • Title: SOUTH KOREA: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Kurt Campbell looks for closer dialogue with China over North Korea
  • Date: 2nd February 2012
  • Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FEBRUARY 1, 2012) (REUTERS) U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS, KURT CAMPBELL STEPPING OUT OF ELEVATOR AFTER MEETING WITH SOUTH KOREAN COUNTERPARTS CAMPBELL AT PODIUM SURROUNDED BY JOURNALISTS JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS, KURT CAMPBELL SAYING: "We believe that they have taken steps to underscore their commitment to transition of power in North Korea. Those steps might include further provision of assistance given the circumstances in North Korea." MEDIA FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS, KURT CAMPBELL SAYING: "It's an evolving situation and we're watching it closely and we want to continue close dialogue with China. We want them to share with us more their perspectives and their plans and I think that's an issue that South Korea and the United States share very similar views on." CAMPBELL WALKING OUT OF ROOM CAMPBELL SITTING IN CAR
  • Embargoed: 17th February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Korea, Republic of
  • Country: South Korea
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA5TV46ZUMUY4SNMF3A0PHNU9PT
  • Story Text: U.S. senior diplomat Kurt Campbell said close dialogue with China would continue on Wednesday (February 1) and urged the nation to share its perspectives on North Korea amid reports that China planned to deliver aid to the reclusive state.
    Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, arrived in South Korea on Tuesday (January 31) to hold discussions with his South Korean counterparts over North Korea and sanctions in Iran.
    On Monday (January 30), Seoul's news agency Yonhap reported that China, North Korea's key ally, will provide 500,000 tons of food and 250,000 tons of crude oil to North Korea following the leadership succession prompted by the death of Kim Jong-il in December last year.
    After meetings with South Korean nuclear envoy Lim Sung-nam, Campbell was asked about the reported move by China, and said his government has had discussions with Beijing over developments in the North.
    "I think we believe that they have taken steps to underscore their commitment to the transition in power in North Korea. And those steps might include further provision of assistance given the circumstances in North Korea," he said.
    He asked China to share their perspectives and plans in North Korea.
    "Frankly, it's an evolving situation, we're watching it closely and we want to continue a close dialogue with China, we want them to share with us more of their perspectives and their plans and I think that's an issue South Korea and the United States share very similar views on," Campbell said.
    China is North Korea's sole major ally and economic partner, and it has repeatedly voiced confidence in Kim Jong-un while also urging regional restraint and stability.
    South Korea has said its primary foreign policy goal this year is maintaining stability on the divided peninsula as its unpredictable neighbour embarks on a third generation of dynastic rule following the leader's death last year.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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