Strong message necessary to resolve N. Korean nuclear issue: Bush

SEOGWIPO, South Korea, Aug. 1 (Yonhap) -- Former U.S. President George W. Bush on
Saturday urged member nations to the six-party disarmament talks to send a strong
and clear message to North Korea to persuade it to give up its nuclear weapons
program.
Bush made the remark at an economic forum organized by the Federation of Korean
Industries (FKI) on the southern island of Jeju during his five-day visit to
South Korea.
Unless North Korea clearly and transparently ends its nuclear weapons drive, the
U.S., South Korea, China, Japan and Russia should let North Korea know that it
will face economic and other consequences, Bush said.
North Korea has made a series of provocative actions since its leader, Kim
Jong-il, reportedly fell ill in August 2008. Responding to a U.N. condemnation of
its long-range rocket launch in April, Pyongyang withdrew from the multilateral
denuclearization talks.
In July in South Korea, Kurt Campbell, the U.S. Secretary of States for East
Asian and Pacific Affairs, said if North Korea takes "serious and irreversible
steps" to end its nuclear program, Washington -- together with Seoul and other
allies -- is ready to offer a "comprehensive package" of incentives.
Bush was scheduled to have dinner with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on
the same day in Jeju, according to the forum's organizers.
On Monday, Bush plans to visit the city of Andong, 268km south of Seoul, on
Monday, as well as the nearby Hahoe Folk Village at the invitation of Poongsang
Group Chairman Ryu Jin.
The village is known for traditional wooden structures, costumes, mask dances and
exceptionally beautiful scenery.
Ties between the Bush family and the defense company Poongsan go back to November
2005, when former U.S. President George H.W. Bush visited the traditional Korean
city.
Bush will also give a speech at an Andong high school, which was founded by Ryu,
before returning home on Tuesday.
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