Former GNP leader envisions future of Korea-U.S. alliance

SAN FRANCISCO, May 9 (Yonhap) -- Park Geun-hye, former head of South Korea's
ruling Grand National Party, said Saturday that the South Korea-U.S. alliance
should focus on enhancing global peace and development and resolving such issues
as the North Korean nuclear threat and terrorism.
Park, who began her weeklong U.S. visit Tuesday at the invitation of Stanford
University, said in a meeting with reporters that the North Korean nuclear
problem should be approached with patience and that it could be resolved through
dialogue and a Northeast Asian peace process.
"The U.S. is a very important country. Thus far, South Korea-U.S. relations have
been maintained to preserve basic principles, like freedom and democracy. From
now on, the alliance should be redirected to help promote the prosperity of
mankind and the establishment of global peace," said Park, a member of the
National Assembly who previously served as chairwoman of the GNP.
"Mankind should join forces to address a long list of pending issues, such as the
North Korean nuclear problem, the elimination of poverty, climate change,
(economic) polarization and terrorism. We should also work together to establish
principled capitalism," she said.
Park had unsuccessfully campaigned against President Lee Myung-bak for the GNP
presidential nomination in 2007 but still wields significant power in South
Korean politics as she leads the single largest faction within the ruling party.
The daughter of late former President Park Chung-hee said her ongoing visit to
the U.S. has been very meaningful as she was able to use the opportunity to talk
about her dreams and convictions.
"I wish for the Republic of Korea to be a place where people live happily. I wish
for the Republic of Korea to make a greater contribution to the happiness of
mankind," she said, using the official name of South Korea.
Speaking on North Korea, Park said, "There has been a vicious cycle, as far as
the North Korean nuclear problem is concerned. That cannot be resolved hastily.
The nuclear problem will be settled if a Northeast Asian peace process is created
and dialogue is encouraged."
Park will return to Seoul on Monday.
(END)