South Korea to implement all agreements

Says ambassador

25 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Diplomatic Correspondent

In a move to further strengthen bilateral relations, South Korea will implement all agreements signed with Bangladesh and the commitments reflected in the joint communiqué issued during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit earlier this month. “The Korean government strongly feels the PM's visit on May 16-18 as a real success and her presence at the summit fruitful and amicable,” said Taiyoung Cho, ambassador of Republic of Korea (RoK) while addressing a press conference at the embassy yesterday afternoon. The press conference, included issues such as Sheikh Hasina's visit, North Korean torpedo attack on RoK's warship on March 26 and a speech delivered by President Lee Myung-Bak, on Monday. Reviewing PM's visit, he said the bilateral ties between the two countries have gained momentum in many spheres and joint efforts should materialise for the greater good of the people. Taiyoung Cho said Hasina met with senior ministers of RoK and its corporate leaders. He found “her each and every meeting extremely fruitful” which may make significant impacts in near future. He termed the sinking of warship “Cheonan” an act of vengeance and a military provocation causing death of 46 innocent sailors as his government halted trade with North Korea. Besides, no North Korean ship will be allowed to pass through any of the shipping lanes in the waters under RoK's control, which has been permitted by the Inter-Korean Agreement on Maritime Transportation, he said. However, South Korea will continue to provide assistance for the children in North Korea, he added. The Ambassador said, “From now on, Korea will not tolerate any provocative act by the North and will maintain the principle of proactive deterrence. South Korea will immediately exercise its right of self-defence if water, airspace or land within its territory is violated, he added. He said North Korea's attack on the warship violated the Charter of the United Nations and breached the existing agreements made for the sake of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, including the Korean War Armistice Agreement and the Basic Agreement between South and North Korea. The Korean Ambassador urged all to raise their voices against North Korea's offensive acts so that they refrain from further heinous attacks which may destabilise peace.