Kim Takes Pragmatic View of N.Korea in ASEM

President Kim Dae-jung Tuesday spoke positively of the prospect of North Korea joining the Asia-Europe Meeting, by saying that "ASEM is an open and gradual process. Thus, it is its basic stance to actively review any nation's application for entry."

In an interview with Yonhap News Agency Tuesday Mr. Kim said "if the North wishes to join, we can decide according to the guidelines set for new member-nations."

The South Korean president is the chairman of the third Asia-Europe Meeting which will run from Friday to Saturday in Seoul. Some 20 nations, such as Australia and New Zealand, are awaiting admission into the Asian-European forum. All decisions are made on a unanimous basis.

But whether the North is admitted or not will be watched closely as the group is expected to proclaim support for the reconciliation and cooperation taking place between the two Koreas through the Seoul Declaration. The declaration, which will be announced at the close of the meeting, will also touch on the importance of relations between ASEM and North Korea.

"The Seoul Declaration will ultimately contribute to Korean peace and stability, and the dismantling of the Cold War division," Mr. Kim said.

He again emphasized that tension on the Korean Peninsula has been greatly reduced in recent months. He went on to say that confrontation between the two Koreas can end through a peace system agreed upon through four-party talks led by the two Koreas and guaranteed by the United States and China.

by Kim Jin-kook