|
Song Min-soon, the chief presidential secretary for security.
|
Opponents say U.S.-led initiative would cause North-South rift
Foreign ministry and security officials have expressed their reservation on South Korea joining the U.S.-led Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). Their comments come amid increasing pressure from the U.S. for Seoul to step up its efforts on limiting North Korea's weapons programs. But the officials noted that discussions are underway regarding South Korea's level of participation in the initiative. Currently, South Korea has "observer" status on several of the PSI's tenets. Vice Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan said that South Korea does not fully participate in the PSI because enforcement of the initiative's terms in the waters off the Korean peninsula could prompt military confrontation between the North and South.When asked if taking part in the PSI could prompt a clash between North and South Korea at a parliamentary interpellation session, Yu responded in the affirmative, but added that "discussions among related ministries are underway," suggesting that South Korea's level of participation could be upped. Song Min-soon, the chief presidential secretary for security, also said that Seoul is reviewing the level of participation in the PSI on condition that the South would not be forced to interdict Northern ships. In response to worries that checks on North Korean ships could lead to military clashes, especially in cases in which no suspicious materials are found, Yu noted that such a situation could be avoided because every interdiction would take place based on credible information shared by PSI signatory countries. Yu added that warnings and rhetoric from the North could not influence Seoul's decision on the PSI. The remarks come amid opposition from some lawmakers, who argue that South Korea's joining the PSI could spark tensions on the Korean Peninsula which could harm inter-Korean relations.