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Chance slim for quick release of DPRK-held boat
By Peng Kuang (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-31 13:26 Yang Xiyu, a senior expert on DPRK at the China Institute of International Studies, said there is little chance that the ROK ship will be released soon because Pyongyang will use the captured ship as a bargaining chip in negotiations amid current tensions in the peninsula. "The ROK is to blame for the fishing boat going astray into the DPRK waters regardless of the reasons it has raised to explain," said Yang. "So the DPRK is at a favorable position at the negotiation table." But Yang ruled out a worsening situation in the peninsula. "This is an accident. It is not a military provocation." Yang said both sides need to resort to diplomacy and patience to solve the problem.
Wang Fan, a professor at Foreign Affairs University, said the incident was so minor that it could not even be used as a bargain chip. He noted that Pyongyang has shown signs of restraint lately, as compared to its provocative stance since May 25 nuclear test. "The DPRK will not use the incident to further complicate the situation on the Korean Peninsula, because it will not benefit any side," he said. |