South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon declared on Thursday at a news conference the government's attitude toward Chen Shui-bian's move, saying that South Korea will stick to the one-China principle as before.

Ban said South Korea had always supported the one-China policy, adding that the country did not expect a change of the status quo across the Taiwan Straits caused by any unilateral motive, which thus brings a negative impact on the regional situation.

South Korea's government hopes the Taiwan Straits issue will be resolved through dialogue, the foreign minister said.

Chen declared on Feb. 27 that the "National Unification Council"(NUC) would "cease to function" and that the "National Unification Guidelines" would "cease to apply."

The "National Unification Council" was set up in 1990 by the Taiwan authorities headed by Lee Teng-hui. A total of 14 meetings were held after its establishment. However, no "NUC" meeting has been held since Chen became Taiwan leader.

The "National Unification Guidelines" were issued in 1991, saying both the mainland and Taiwan are under the sovereignty of China and the promotion of the state's reunification should be the common task of all Chinese.

The guidelines also outlined a three-phase goal for the realization of China's reunification.

Source: Xinhua