John Key jumps the gun

Key's South Korea comments 'amateurish and ill-timed'

Prime Minister John Key's comments suggesting New Zealand would aid South Korea in war have been labelled "amateurish and ill-timed".

TVNZ,

8 April, 2013

Key, who is in China for a trade delegation, said if the current situation in North Korea ended in an armed conflict, he would consider assisting the south.

"Obviously we've got a long and proud history of coming to the support of South Korea so we'd always assess that on its merits. The big hope is it doesn't get to that point," Key said.

Key has now downplayed the comments, telling Radio New Zealand: "What I said was, 'if there was a situation that got to the extreme, New Zealand would consider its position'."

Labour's Foreign Affair's Spokesperson Phil Goff said Key's comments were irresponsible given there should be a focus on de-escalation rather than ramping up the rhetoric.

"John Key's response was amateurish and ill-timed. He got talked into a response that was ill-judged.

"It is similar to his knee-jerk reaction at the time of the invasion of Iraq. New Zealand does not blindly follow any other country with respect to decisions about engaging in wars."

Labour leader David Shearer said New Zealand should not automatically follow the United States and Australia into war.

"We are a proudly independent and sovereign country. We make our own assessment and decisions," Shearer said.

"No one should be talking up the prospect of war on the Korean Peninsula. In fact, the international community is focused on de-escalation and so should we".

Relationship with China strengthening

Key talked with Chinese President Xi Jinping last night during his time in the Asian nation for the Bo'ao Forum.

The Prime Minister said it was a very friendly meeting and Xi's comments reflected the fact the two countries are becoming more closely aligned and are now "very close friends".

In recognition of the growing relationship, New Zealand will beef up its diplomatic post in China with more staff and set up a new post in Western China.

It is also possible New Zealand may boost its economic relations with China further by allowing the direct trade of Kiwi dollars and the Chinese currency the Renminbi.

Key said he was encouraged to raise the idea at the meeting by a Chinese economic advisor and Xi was very positive about the move and keen for his officials to look into it.

Such a move would cut down compliance costs for exporters as they would be able to price their goods for sale in China in Renminbi, rather US dollars as they currently do.