ID :
28992
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 19:31
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/28992
The shortlink copeid
U.S. envoy in Seoul calls for new chapter on Korean Peninsula
(ATTN: RECASTS lead; CORRECTS misspelling in para 8)
By Sam Kim
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 relations and a permanent peace agreement following North Korea's envisioned denuclearization.
"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 combined U.S.-South Korea armed
forces command.
Stephens' comment came amid widespread rumors that North Korean leader Kim
Jong-il recently suffered a stroke, raising concerns his ill health may affect
progress in the six-nation talks aimed at denuclearizing the communist state.
It also came just days after Barack Obama won the U.S. presidential election to
end eight years of rule by the Bush administration. Obama, the first
African-American to capture the White House, has vowed greater dialogue in
resolving tensions.
Under an aid-for-disarmament deal with the United States, South Korea, Russia,
China and Japan, North Korea is generally seen as moving toward denuclearization,
and recently came off the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.
But the country still remains technically at war with the United States and South
Korea because the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce rather than a peace treaty.
"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 longtime allies, Seoul and Washington.
"We together seek a more lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and new
opportunities for all the Korean people," she said.
Stephens first came to South Korea in the mid-1970s as a Peace Corps member and
taught English at a rural middle school. She became the first U.S. woman
ambassador to serve in South Korea when she arrived here in September.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
By Sam Kim
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 relations and a permanent peace agreement following North Korea's envisioned denuclearization.
"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 combined U.S.-South Korea armed
forces command.
Stephens' comment came amid widespread rumors that North Korean leader Kim
Jong-il recently suffered a stroke, raising concerns his ill health may affect
progress in the six-nation talks aimed at denuclearizing the communist state.
It also came just days after Barack Obama won the U.S. presidential election to
end eight years of rule by the Bush administration. Obama, the first
African-American to capture the White House, has vowed greater dialogue in
resolving tensions.
Under an aid-for-disarmament deal with the United States, South Korea, Russia,
China and Japan, North Korea is generally seen as moving toward denuclearization,
and recently came off the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.
But the country still remains technically at war with the United States and South
Korea because the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce rather than a peace treaty.
"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 longtime allies, Seoul and Washington.
"We together seek a more lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and new
opportunities for all the Korean people," she said.
Stephens first came to South Korea in the mid-1970s as a Peace Corps member and
taught English at a rural middle school. She became the first U.S. woman
ambassador to serve in South Korea when she arrived here in September.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
