South Korea, U.S. Hold 'Big-Four Meeting'

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Lee Joung-bin and Minister of National Defense Cho Seong-tae met with U.S. Ambassador Stephen W. Bosworth and General Thomas A. Schwartz, commander-in-chief of the U.S. Armed Forces in Korea, at the MND Club in the Ministry of National Defense building on April 24. The group met to discuss cooperative measures to be taken concerning the South-North summit talks.

At this 'big-four meeting,' the Korean ministers explained the background of the upcoming summit talks to the U.S. officials and asked for their support. The Americans are said to have expressed their willingness to help out in any way possible.

The two countries also discussed issues such as the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and the extension of Korea's missile shooting range. The two sides also agreed to carry on close mutual cooperation in case of emergency.

by Kim Min-seok