U.S. envoy in Seoul calls for new chapter on Korean Peninsula

SEOUL, Nov. 7 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Ambassador Kathleen Stephens expressed hope Friday for the opening of a "new chapter" on the Korean Peninsula through normalized ties and a permanent peace agreement.

"With denuclearization, we look forward to opening a new chapter on the Korean
Peninsula, with normalized relations, needed assistance to North Korea in energy
and the economic area, and a permanent peace arrangement," she said at a ceremony
marking the 30th anniversary of the creation of a joint U.S.-South Korea armed
forces command.
Her comment comes just days after Barack Obama won the U.S. presidential election
to end eight years of rule by the Bush administration. The president-elect called
for greater dialogue in resolving diplomatic tensions.
The speech also came amid widespread rumors that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il
recently suffered a stroke, raising speculation his ill health may affect
progress in the six-nation talks aimed at denuclearizing the communist state.
"The road ahead is still very long, and there will be many tough moments. But
we're working together and we're on the right track," Stephens said, referring to
the two long-time allies, Seoul and Washington.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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