战略与国际研究中心-Korea-Chair-Monitor-Vol-1-Issue-1_3页_966kb

Korea Chair Monitor Summary (May 29 – June 12, 2013)

Core Content

The Korea Chair Monitor is a biweekly report published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Office of the Korea Chair, focusing on developments in ROK-CHINA relations, U.S.-ROK civil nuclear cooperation, domestic politics, ROK economics, inter-Korean relations, and future events of interest in the region.

ROK-China Relations

• Park-Xi Summit: A summit between President Park Geun-hye of South Korea and President Xi Jinping of China was planned for June 27 as part of Park's State Visit to China (June 27–30). The agenda included discussions on ROK-PRC relations, peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, and economic, political, and social issues.
• Preparations: In the weeks leading up to the summit, high-level strategic dialogues were held, and military officials from both countries met to reinforce military cooperation. These meetings were seen as a sign of improving relations.
• Symbolic Events: The visit by ROK Chief of Staff Jung Seung-jo to China included symbolic gestures such as flying on a military transport plane and visiting the PLA Navy's North Sea Fleet, highlighting the deepening military ties.

U.S.-ROK Civil Nuclear Cooperation

• New Negotiator: Thomas Countryman replaced Robert Einhorn as the chief U.S. negotiator for the 123 negotiations with South Korea. This marked the resumption of bilateral talks on a new civilian nuclear cooperation agreement.
• Visit to Seoul: Countryman visited Seoul on June 3–4 to meet with his South Korean counterpart, signaling a renewed effort to modernize nuclear cooperation.

Domestic Politics

• First 100 Days of Park's Presidency: According to JoongAng Ilbo polls, 65.4% of South Koreans believed Park was doing a good job, while 25.3% viewed her negatively.
• Positive Evaluation Factors: Among those who gave positive evaluations, 15.9% cited her policy toward North Korea as a key reason.
• Negative Evaluation Factors: Among those who gave negative evaluations, 45.5% blamed failed appointments to high-ranking positions in her administration.

ROK Economics

• Slow Economic Growth: The Bank of Korea reported that Q1 2013 GDP growth was 0.8% quarter-over-quarter, down 0.1% from initial estimates. This was the eighth consecutive quarter below the 1.0% growth threshold.
• Year-over-Year Growth: The economy grew 1.5% year-over-year in Q1 2013.
• Job Creation Plan: The government announced a job creation plan aiming to create 2.38 million jobs by 2017, with a focus on decent part-time jobs for women, youth, and the elderly.
• Deregulation Efforts: The administration plans to reevaluate and renew regulations by the end of August 2013 to support private sector growth.

Inter-Korean Relations

• North Korean Defectors: Nine North Korean defectors were repatriated to North Korea on May 28 after being arrested in Laos on May 10. They were transferred via China and returned on an Air Koryo flight, raising concerns among human rights activists about the safety of Laos as a refuge.
• Failed Intergovernmental Talks: Talks between North and South Korea failed on June 11 due to a disagreement over the seniority of negotiators. Working-level talks had taken place on June 9–10 at Panmunjom, in preparation for high-level negotiations.
• North Korea's Proposal: North Korea had proposed talks on June 7, following the shutdown of the Kaesong Industrial Complex in early April 2013.

Looking Ahead

• June 15: The ROK administration will announce a new deregulation plan for venture M&As.
• June 27: President Xi Jinping will host a summit with President Park.
• July 3: The ROK-Japan currency swap agreements are set to expire, amid ongoing bilateral tensions.
• Upcoming Visits: Reports indicated that North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan, the chief nuclear negotiator, will visit China and Russia soon.

Contributors and Contact

• Contributors: Victor Cha (Senior Advisor and Chair), Marie DuMond (Research Associate), Andy Lim, Ju Young Lee, JD Suh, and Youmin Kim.
• Contact: Follow the Korea Chair on Facebook, Twitter, or visit their website for more updates and program details.

Additional Information

• The Korea Chair Monitor is a biweekly publication of the CSIS Office of the Korea Chair, available online.
• CSIS is a private, nonprofit institution based in Washington, D.C., focusing on international public policy.
• The research is nonpartisan and nonproprietary, and all views expressed are those of the author(s).