ROC President Ma Ying-jeou said Dec. 19 that the government is closely watching developments in the Korean Peninsula following the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.
The state media Korean Central News Agency reported earlier in the day that Kim died of a heart attack at the age of 69 Dec. 17.
Related government agencies such as the National Security Council, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mainland Affairs Council and Ministry of Economic Affairs have been mobilized in response to the situation, Ma told the media at the Presidential Office.
“The government will stay in close contact with other countries regarding the situation in North Korea,” Ma said.
Ma assured the public that the government is poised to cope with any developments or uncertainties that might be raised by Kim’s death, but it is expected that there will be no major impact on Taiwan’s diplomacy, defense or economy.
“Our economy is healthier and relatively stable compared to other countries in the East Asian region,” Ma said.
He added that the latest development in North Korea will not affect the solid relations between Taiwan and mainland China, and that the government has no plans to strengthen its military readiness.
As Asian markets roiled amid reports of Kim’s death, Taiwan’s shares also took a hit from the news, with the stock index plunging below the 10-year average Dec.19.
Hu Chung-ying, deputy minister of the Council for Economic Planning and Development, said the market fell mainly because of “a lack of confidence,” given that Taiwan has very little trade with North Korea, with bilateral trade in 2009 amounting to US$20.08 million.
Meanwhile, MOFA said in a news release that in response to Kim’s death it has set up a special task force to work closely with the ministry’s representative offices in South Korea and watch over Taiwanese people living and working there.
The U.S. has also been keeping a close eye on the latest developments on the Korean Peninsula with its allies in the region—Japan and South Korea. In a joint news conference after bilateral talks, both U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her Japanese counterpart, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba, called for a peaceful transition in North Korea.
Kim Jong Il succeeded his father, Kim Il Sung, in 1994. His youngest son, Kim Jong Un, appointed to senior political and military posts in 2010, is expected to assume leadership of the country. (THN)
Write to Rachel Chan at rachelchan@mail.gio.gov.tw