The sudden death of North Korean leader Kim
Jong Il not only has taken some world leaders, and Northeast Asia
in particular, by surprise, but has also sparked widespread
speculation about the fate of the country, as well as the peace
process on the Korean Peninsula.
Kim Jong Il has led North Korea for exactly 17
years. He was a highly esteemed and beloved leader in his country.
This was due to his tireless efforts to work for the interests of
North Korea, to his deep concern for the people, his firm character
to face up to hardships, such as the isolating sanctions imposed by
some Western countries, and also to his daring courage to fight
against power politics and resist external interference.
The former North Korean leader was also warmly
acclaimed as a far-sighted statesman seeking peace and unification
for his motherland. Back in June 2000, he signed with the then
South Korean President Kim Dae Jung in Pyongyang the historic
North-South Joint Declaration, ending 55 years of hostilities
between the two brotherly countries. Then, in August 2007, he held
talks with Kim's successor Roh Moo Hyun, again in Pyongyang, with
an eye to boosting communication and exchange on the Korean
Peninsula. He ordered the opening of North Korean nuclear
facilities to foreign media in February 2008 in an effort to defuse
tensions and avert the threat of war in Northeast Asia. He also
tried hard to mend North Korea's strained relations with the West
by meeting dignitaries from Western countries and keeping up a
dialogue mechanism with them. Before his death, North Korea called
time and again for the resumption of the six-party talks.
As an old friend of China, Kim Jong Il
dedicated himself to furthering traditional bilateral friendship
and cooperative ties. He visited China seven times in the past
decade. His last visit was made in August, when he conducted field
studies on China's reform and opening-up policies in the hope of
using China's successful experience to help build North Korea into
a powerful and prosperous nation. Thanks to his efforts, the
neighborly and strategic partnership between China and North Korea
is as good as ever before. China will keep up its support for North
Korea's development effort and peace-process initiative, and will
continuously work for lasting peace and stability on the Korean
Peninsula.
This goal of regional peace, however, cannot
be accomplished by China alone. In the wake of the death of the
North Korean leader, a series of reactions have erupted around the
world, a well-understood phenomenon given the delicate and complex
political scenarios in Northeast Asia. At this sensitive and
critical juncture, it is imperative that the countries concerned
realize the key role North Korea can play in maintaining peace and
security in the region. They should therefore adopt concerted
measures to ensure a smooth and stable transition of leadership,
and help the country get through its present difficulties. This
seems to be a constructive approach that will work in the best
interests of all the stakeholders.
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