딕 더빈 미 상원의원, 세월호 철저 조사 서한 발송하기로

Posted by: 편집부 in Headline, Topics, 국제 2015/03/17 09:54 1 Comment

딕 더빈 미 상원의원, 세월호 철저 조사 서한 발송하기로
-세월호 희생자 부모들과 시카고 사무실에서 만나
-침묵하는 한국 국회 의원과 대조적

일리노이 딕 더빈 연방상원의원이 16일 ‘주제: 상원의원 더빈, 세월호 희생자 부모들을 만나다’라는 제목의 세월호 관련 보도자료를 냈다. 

딕 더빈 의원은 세월호 희생자 가족 박혜영, 홍영미씨와 찍은 사진을 첨부하고, 세월호 사건의 철저한 조사를 요구하는 서한을 안호영 한국 대사에게 보낼 것이라고 발표했다. 

지난주 고든 존슨 미 하원의원이 세월호 가족들에게 지지 영상을 보낸 데 이어, 딕 더빈 상원의원의 철저한 조사를 요구하는 서한 발송 계획으로 세월호 인양과 조사에 대한 국제 사회의 목소리는 더 커질 전망이다. 

다음은 뉴스프로가 번역한 보도자료 전문이다.

번역 감수: 임옥

Subject: SENATOR DURBIN MEETS WITH PARENTS OF SEWOL FERRY VICTIMS

주제: 상원의원 더빈, 세월호 희생자 부모들을 만나다

Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2015 23:51:45 +0000

Photo attached. Caption below:

첨부사진: 설명 아래 참조

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today in his Chicago office with parents of two victims of the April 16, 2014 Sewol ferry disaster in South Korea that claimed more than 300 lives. Durbin announced that he will be sending a letter to the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Ahn Ho-Young, asking for a thorough investigation of the incident. The parents—Ms. Hye Young Park and Ms. Young Mi Hong—are touring the United States to share their story as the first anniversary of the disaster approaches. Senator Durbin was presented with a plaque in appreciation of his efforts.

미 상원의원 딕 더빈(민주당-일리노이 주)은 한국에서 300명 이상의 목숨을 앗아간 2014년 4월 16일 세월호 참사의 두 희생자의 부모들을 시카고에 있는 자신의 사무실에서 오늘 만났다. 더빈 상원의원은 세월호 사건의 철저한 조사를 요구하는 서한을 안호영 한국 대사에게 보낼 것이라고 발표했다. 두 희생자의 부모인 박혜영, 홍영미씨는 세월호 참사 1주년을 앞두고 자신들의 이야기를 공유하기 위해 미국 순회 중에 있다. 더빈 상원의원은 그 노력에 대해 감사패를 받았다.

Seoul’s “strategic ambiguity” is only causing conflicts

The dispute over whether to deploy the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) with US Forces Korea is gradually intensifying. It has the potential to damage South Korea’s relationships with both the US and China.

The South Korean government bears a large portion of the blame for trying to walk the tight rope of “strategic ambiguity.” It’s time for the government to make its position clear. The same goes for the question of joining the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

The US and China have gone as far as to send high-ranking officials, equivalent to deputy minister in rank, to Seoul to make public statements aimed at checking each other. The tone of these statements is blunter than before.

On Mar. 16, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao, speaking on the topic of THAAD, asked South Korea to “pay attention to China’s interest and concern.” On Mar. 17, US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel countered by remarking that it is “curious that a third country would presume to make strong representations about a security system that has not been put in place.”

The question of the AIIB was also addressed by the two officials. Liu urged South Korea to join the bank, while Russel took issue with its transparency and control structure.

As it happens, the US is becoming more and more isolated internationally in regard to the question of joining the AIIB. Not only the UK but also France, Germany, and Italy are moving toward joining the bank, and there is increasing support for joining inside the US as well.

The situation is such that there is no reason for South Korea to delay joining either. If South Korea continues to hesitate out of concern for what the US will think, it is likely to damage the national interest by reducing South Korean influence in the bank. The practical way to address concerns such as China’s domination of the control structure is by participating in the bank.

A decision should also be quickly made on the THAAD question according to the principles of balanced diplomacy and peace in Northeast Asia. Beijing thinks that deploying THAAD in South Korea goes far behind what is necessary for South Korea’s national security and poses a threat to China. Some are even predicting that deploying THAAD could fundamentally change relations between South Korea and China.

In addition, the South Korean government has said that it will not participate in the missile defense system that the US is building in Northeast Asia, which is aimed at China. Instead, it has been developing the Korean Air and Missile Defense system to counter the threat of North Korea.

Placing THAAD, which is considered a component of missile defense, in South Korea would violate these principles. Furthermore, there has been no confirmation of claims that THAAD would effectively counter the threat of North Korean missiles. It goes without saying that deploying THAAD would require major changes to the existing national defense plan.

We hope that the government will make clear its opposition to deploying THAAD and bring an end to this pointless argument. Strategic ambiguity reflects little more than the opportunistic willingness to reluctantly go along with the US if it pushes for the deployment of THAAD.

The Ministry of National Defense said on Mar. 17 that China should not attempt to exert influence on South Korean defense and security policies, but the more urgent task is to eliminate the cause of such conflict.

Director of Blue House National Security Office Kim Kwan-jin (left) talks with Senior Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Security Ju Chul-ki during a cabinet meeting at the Blue House, Mar. 17. (by Lee Jeong-yong, staff photographer)

　

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