The Marmot’s Hole

user-81

Roh gave similar assurances before taking office:

http://english.mofe.go.kr/news.....;SW=amcham

Next, I would like to make a few remarks regarding South-North cooperation and the North Koreannuclear issue. What is important for me in this matter is continued conciliatory and cooperative efforts, the establishment of a peace structure on the Korean Peninsula through firm ROK-U.S. coordination, and on the basis of that, the construction of a cooperative economic system in Northeast Asia. We have to induce Pyongyang to reform and open up. Neither war nor collapse helps the peninsula. We should resolve the North Korean nuclearissue through dialogue, and I think it is possible. I firmly believe that the issue will be solved in that manner.

At the earliest date after my inauguration, I plan to visit the United States and consult with President George W. Bush on the matter. I will closely consult with Japan, China, Russia, the EU and other countries while continuing to persuade Pyongyang to give up its nuclear project.

I am aware that there has been much worry in connection with the candle vigils staged over the death of the middle school girls. When the Korean War broke out, the United States and many EU countries dispatched young people to help us. Many of them lost their lives in defense of Korea. We cannot forget that even for a moment. However, there have been some instancesof misunderstanding over the candle vigils. The main focus of the mass gatherings was the need to revise the Status of Forces Agreement, but, of course, the demonstrations were staged on the premise that the U.S. troops would continue to stay in Korea. These were voices aspiring for a more mature relationship between Korea and the United States. ROK-U.S. relations have been, are, and will continue to be treasured, and I certainly hope that America will remain our ally in the years to come.