Anchor: The leaders of South Korea and China are expected to adopt a joint declaration at their summit next month that includes the "denuclearization” of the Korean Peninsula. Including the word would a mark significant change in China and demonstrate its new government’s willingness to push North Korea to rid itself of nuclear arms.
Kim In-kyung reports.

Report: As South Korea and China prepare a joint statement for next month’s summit in Beijing, the focus is whether the statement will carry the word “denuclearization.”

A high-level government source said Thursday that the North Korea nuclear issue is an important part of the joint statement and there is a high chance the word will appear.

Seoul is determined that Pyongyang first give up its nuclear ambitions before resuming dialogue, including the six-party talks, and stands firm that the joint statement mention denuclearization. China may accept Seoul's request as it seems to have hardened against the North since Pyongyang's third nuclear test.

Some say that China may even choose to be more specific about denuclearization in the statement as North Korea, which has simultaneously decided to pursue nuclear possession and economic development, is trying to make its nuclear status an established fact.

The November 2005 joint statement between Seoul and Beijing included the word denuclearization, but that statement only goes so far as to say that the two sides welcome the September 19th agreement under which North Korea promised to abandon its nuclear program in return for security, economic and energy benefits.

The May 2008 joint statement, signed by the Lee Myung-bak administration, has no mention of the word denuclearization, but only says the two sides will work towards implementing the September 19th agreement.

Despite the chance that the statement adopted next month may only just lay out the principle of denuclearization, South Korea and China are highly likely to convey a message to North Korea by discussing and announcing the issue.

Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News