(2nd LD) China's Xi to keep playing 'constructive role' in denuclearizing N. Korea

(ATTN: ADDS quotes in paras 5-7, details in last 2 paras, photo)

BEIJING, Dec. 18 (Yonhap) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping told the visiting National Assembly speaker of South Korea that he will continue to play a "constructive role" in persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear capability, reaffirming Beijing's long-standing commitment to the North Korean nuclear issue, a South Korean official said Thursday.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Chung Ui-hwa, speaker of South Korea's National Assembly, at the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing, according to Choi Hyung-du, a National Assembly spokesman who is accompanying Chung on his five-day visit to China.

"China will fulfill its constructive role in realizing denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Xi told Chung, according to Choi.

Xi also said China has been trying to persuade the nations involved in the long-stalled six-party talks to resume the negotiating process. The six-nation talks, involving South Korea, North Korea, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan, have been halted since late 2008.

North Korea, however, has shown no signs of giving up its nuclear ambition and threatened to conduct a new nuclear test in response to a U.N. move to censure its dismal human rights situation.

Chung urged China to keep up pressure on North Korea to freeze its nuclear capacity.

"If (China) well persuades North Korea to get a precondition of freezing its nuclear development, the United States will join (the six-party talks) without hesitation," Chung told Xi, according to Choi.

In rare comments by the top Chinese leader on illegal fishing by Chinese boats in South Korean waters, Xi pledged that China will strengthen its supervisory activities against such boats.

Pollution and overfishing at home have prompted more Chinese fishing vessels to poach in South Korea's rich fishing grounds in the Yellow Sea. In some cases, Chinese fishermen have violently resisted attempts by the South Korean coast guard to seize their vessels.

"In spite of our strict supervision against illegal fishing, such a situation is happening," Xi was quoted as saying by Choi. China "will continue to strengthen its supervision," Xi told Chung.

Last month, South Korea and China "effectively" concluded a bilateral free trade agreement, but some outstanding issues have yet to be resolved. If fully concluded, such a deal would then have to be ratified by the parliaments of the two nations.

Xi told Chung that South Korea and China must "finalize follow-up measures" after the effective conclusion of their free trade talks.

kdh@yna.co.kr
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