N. Korea may have interest in 'Grand Bargain': Lee

SEOUL, Jan. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said North Korea
would have interest in his "Grand Bargain" proposal, if the country intends to
drop its nuclear program.

Lee's remark came in an interview with U.S.-based cable news channel CNN before
leaving Switzerland on late Friday for Seoul, which was aired Saturday when Lee
wound up his weeklong trip to India and Switerzland.
The proposal aimed at signing a package deal with Pyongyang to end its nuclear
program and break its diplomatic isolation was announced by Lee in September of
last year through consultations with the U.S., China, Russia and Japan, all of
which are members of six-way talks.
"Five countries of all members of the six-way talks understand the Grand Bargain.
If North Korea has the intention to drop its nuclear program, it may have
interest in the proposal," Lee said during the interview. "The members will
discuss the proposal with North Korea if if the country comes to the talks."
South Korea proposed its package deal to improve inter-Korean ties as opposed to
earlier step-by-step proposals, Lee said.
He stressed that "The day draws near when North Korea answers whether or not it
will drop its nuclear program."
As for the economic outlook for 2010, Lee expected his country's economy to grow
an estimated 5 percent and the global economy to expand over 3.5 percent.
Asked whether the economic growth rate of 5 percent could lower South Korea's
jobless rate, Lee said the rate will be able to catch up with domestic demands
for jobs, but forecast that it won't be sufficient to create enough new jobs.
South Korea's jobless rate stood at 3.5 percent in December of last year, up from
3.3 percent the previous month. The figure marked the second consecutive rise
after falling to an 11-month low of 3.2 percent in October.
In an effort to create jobs, South Korea should enhance the service industry
which falls behind the advanced countries, he said.
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)

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