|
The South Korean government's decision to join the Proliferation Security Initiative is based on a conviction that there is no longer any reason to delay joining international efforts to halt the spread of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. Seoul has reserved taking part in the PSI for fear of angering North Korea, but following the North's rocket launch and discussions at the UN Security Council over sanctions, it has decided to rectify this.
¡ß Fear of Damaging Ties with North Korea
One senior government official said the reason why there has been so much controversy about participation in the PSI was because it became an ideological rather than a policy issue. The U.S.-led initiative, which was launched in May 2003, aims to block the transport of weapons of mass destruction and missiles by intercepting ships and aircraft under suspicion of carrying such materials, through the combined efforts of countries that share the principle of non-proliferation. The Lee Myung-bak administration aims to contribute more to the international community, so there was no reason to avoid joining the PSI.
South Korea has only so far had observer status because politicians and civic groups warned that joining fully would lead to military clashes and even war with North Korea. A South Korean official said the greatest fear among the opponents of the PSI was that it would tarnish the achievements of the Sunshine Policy.
The PSI now has 94 members and has taken root as a universal principle shared by the United States, Russia, Japan, the European Union and other member countries. China is not a member but supports its principles and inspects aircraft and ships passing through its territorial waters in conjunction with the initiative.
¡ß International Cooperation
The Lee administration now wants to join the PSI because it feels full-fledged participation is essential to raise South Korea's international stature. North Korea's recent rocket launch served as an impetus, but the measure is not aimed directly at the North.
Nonetheless, Seoul has opened itself up to criticism that it is providing another point of contention for North Korea. But that is tantamount to falling for North Korean propaganda that participating in the PSI would be a retaliatory move over the rocket launch. A government official said while North Korea has yet to protest against any country¡¯s decision to join the PSI, it is threatening only the South, viewing Seoul's participation as a "declaration of war." This was a blatant bid, the official said, to take advantage of South Korea's failure to present a united front in support of the PSI.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
|
