ID :
32190
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 15:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/32190
The shortlink copeid
Lee reiterates reconciliatory policy toward North Korea
(ATTN: UPDATES with more details; Lee's remarks on domestic politics from 5th para)
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Sunday
that his administration will consistently pursue a policy of "reconciliation,
co-prosperity and co-existence" with North Korea, despite the ongoing strain in
inter-Korean relations.
Lee warned against a possible North Korean attempt to sideline South Korea in its
direct diplomacy with the U.S., saying the upcoming U.S. government of
President-elect Barack Obama will have sufficient consultations with South Korea
before implementing any policy action toward North Korea.
Regarding the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who reportedly collapsed
in August due to a stroke, the president said Kim appears to be healthy enough to
oversee ordinary state affairs.
Lee made the remarks while meeting with reporters aboard a chartered Korean Air
plane en route to Los Angeles from Peru, where he attended an annual summit of
Pacific Rim countries over the weekend.
Hours earlier, North Korea announced its decision to halt inter-Korean railway
service and South Koreans' tours to the North Korean border city of Kaesong, as
well as selectively expel South Korean personnel from an inter-Korean industrial
park in Kaesong, all starting on Dec. 1.
But Lee still expressed optimism about the six-nation nuclear talks scheduled to
resume in early December to discuss the verification of North Korea's nuclear
declaration and disabling of its nuclear facilities.
"The next U.S. government is also expected to respect the six-nation talks in
enforcing its North Korea policy. I'm convinced the next six-party talks will
produce some progress," said Lee, who met U.S. President George W. Bush and
Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso over the North Korean nuclear issues on the
sidelines of APEC forum summit in Peru.
"The new U.S. government will have sufficient discussions with South Korea in
advance, whether Obama will directly meet Chairman Kim Jong-il (of the North's
National Defense Commission) or take other measures toward the North."
The six-nation talks involving the two Koreas, the U.S., China, Japan and Russia
have long been deadlocked due to a protracted dispute over the method of
verification of the North's nuclear program.
"It's not true that we hate North Korea. Instead, we're ready to extend genuine
help and cooperate with the North in the international community. We don't have
any intention to change North Korea's attitude. We just want normally reliable
relations," said Lee.
Speaking on domestic politics, meanwhile, the president showed a negative
reaction to mounting media speculation about a year-end reshuffle of the Cabinet.
"The issue of the Cabinet shakeup should be approached very carefully,
particularly in a country like Korea, now on the verge of joining the ranks of
advanced countries," said Lee.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)