Clinton emphasizes women's role amid global turmoil

SEOUL, Feb. 20 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking to a gathering of South Korean female students in Seoul on Friday, stressed gender equality and the role of women in addressing global crises.

"No country has yet achieved full equality for women. There is still a lot ahead
for us to make sure that gender equality becomes reality," Clinton said in a
speech at Ewha Womans University. "Part of my mission as the secretary of state
is (making sure) the United States is committed to enhancing the rights of
women."
Clinton visited the country's top female college, despite a tightly packed
schedule during her two-day stay, receiving a warm welcome from a crowd of more
than 2,000 that included female lawmakers and Korea's first astronaut, Lee
So-yun.
???The inclusion of women in the political and economical stage was essential to
the progress this country has made,??? Clinton said. ???Before I came on stage, I
met a number of young women... I hope I was looking at a future president of this
great nation.???
Clinton described the Korea-U.S. relationship as "deep" and reemphasized her
administration's commitment to working within the framework of the ongoing
six-party talks between the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and
Russia.
???We know that the most acute challenge for Northeast Asia is the regime of
North Korea and particularly its nuclear program,??? she said. ???President Obama
and I are committed to working through the six-party talks.???
???If the North Korean government is genuinely prepared to completely and
verifiably eliminate its nuclear programs, the Obama administration will be
willing to normalize the bilateral relations and assist with energy and other
needs.???
She also addressed the issue of global climate change, calling Seoul a
???partner??? in the goal of green energy growth.
???Your president has talked about low-carbon, green growth," Clinton said,
referring to an earlier meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.
"Despite the difficult economy, I think we have to do it now. We cannot deny or
ignore the global climate change problem.
"This is going to be the most important issue for the Obama administration and we
are looking for partners. All of us have to be a part of this (green growth)
solution.???
Throughout the session, which ran for almost an hour, Clinton wore a broad smile
as she took some humorous and personal questions from students, such as ???Was it
love at first sight??? for her and former President Bill Clinton.
???How does anyone describe love?" Clinton answered with a laugh.???But it's such
a great relationship. I'm very lucky because my husband and I have been together
for a very long time -- longer than most of you have been alive!???
Comparing Ewha with her alma mater Wellesley College, Clinton told students to do
what they "love and is purposeful" for them.
???I could never have imagined myself here as the secretary of state today, but
look where I am now," she said. "Follow your dreams. With your education and the
opportunities available in your country, there is so much that you can do.???
Clinton received an honorary doctorate from Ewha Womans University, which called
her an ???inspiration and extraordinary contributor" to human rights and womens'
empowerment.
Clinton arrived in Seoul Thursday, the third stop in her first trip to Asia as
Washington's top diplomat.
Clinton was to leave for China later in the day after having visited the joint
South Korea-U.S. military command here and meeting her South Korean counterpart
Yu Myung-hwan and President Lee during her visit.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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