Bush, Kim affirm alliance solidarity

U.S. President George W. Bush endorsed President Kim Dae-jung's sunshine policy Wednesday and emphasized that the United States stands firm for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

At the same time, both presidents described the meeting - the third between them - as "frank and open," in an indication that differences remain over North Korea.

"We stand firm for peace on the Korean Peninsula. No one should doubt that, Mr. President," said Mr. Bush, coming out of a 95-minute face-to-face meeting with Mr. Kim at the Blue House.

"I support the sunshine policy. I am disappointed that North Korea will not accept the spirit of the sunshine policy," Mr. Bush said at a 35-minute joint press conference at the Blue House's Main Hall.

Of his discussion with Mr. Kim, the American president said, "A lot of times I find in the diplomatic world that people want to gloss over issues. Because of our friendship, because of the friendship between our countries, we have a very frank exchange and a positive exchange," Mr. Bush said.

He added that the relationship has seen a lot of problems that were dealt with together, and said that the two countries would deal with future problems in the next 50 years in a spirit of cooperation and openness.

Mr. Kim, for his part, said he found the frank discussion with Mr. Bush the most satisfactory outcome of the summit.

"We have learned a lot from each other and we had an earnest and informal discussion," he said. "As I had said prior to the summit, we discussed cooperation to fight terrorism and resolve the issue of weapons of mass destruction through dialogue."

He framed Mr. Bush's three-day visit as the foundation for future progress in Korean-U.S. relations for the 21st century. President Kim said that there were "in-depth" discussions on the indispensability of the South Korea-United States alliance, and on cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

Mr. Bush addressed South Korean anxiety over his inclusion of North Korea in an "axis of evil," saying, "I made the remark because I love freedom. I am troubled by a regime that starves its people, that is closed and untransparent; and I am deeply concerned about the people of North Korea."

"We have no intention of invading North Korea, and South Korea has no intention of invading North Korea," Mr. Bush said. "We are defensive because there is a threat along the Demilitarized Zone. We are interested in a peaceful resolution on the Korean Peninsula."

"We are more than willing to speak out publicly and speak out in private with the North Korean leadership," he said. "Again I wonder why they have not taken up our offer."

He was unsparing in his criticism of the North Korean regime and its leader, Kim Jong-il.

"I will not change my opinion on Kim Jong-il until he frees his people and accepts genuine proposals from countries such as South Korea or the United States to dialogue," Mr. Bush said.

Mr. Bush drew a parallel with former President Reagan's reference to the Soviet Union as an "evil empire," which did not prevent subsequent constructive dialogue with Mikhail Gorbachev.

In the afternoon the two leaders visited Dorasan Station, at the northern end of South Korea's portion of the inter-Korean Gyeongui railroad near the Demilitarized Zone. Mr. Bush then signed a wooden plaque reading, "May this railroad unite Korean families."

"My vision is clear," Mr. Bush said. "I see a peninsula that is one day united in commerce and cooperation instead of divided by barbed wire and fear."

He painted a grim portrait of life in North Korea, saying, "Korean children should never starve while a massive army is fed."

The two leaders repeated their urging of Pyeongyang to respond to dialogue.

However, in a summit where protocol speaks as eloquently as any discussion point on the agenda, the two leaders traveled separately to Dorasan Station, an hour's drive from Seoul by car. Mr.Kim traveled on the Gyeongbokho, his presidential train; Mr. Bush traveled by helicopter.

The two leaders again met at a dinner reception held at the Blue House Wednesday evening. Mr. Bush will leave for China on Thursday morning.

by Kim Ji-soo