Roh sets talks priorities

President Roh Moo-hyun said yesterday that a dialogue between North Korea and the United States is more immediately necessary than an inter-Korean summit with the North Korea leader, Kim Jong-il.
“It is vital to create an environment that will make for a smooth dialogue between the United States and North Korea,” Mr. Roh said. “The Korean leaders should meet after the North Korean nuclear issue is resolved, in order to eliminate legal barriers to inter-Korean cooperation and alleviate military confrontation.”
In an interview with the Munhwa Ilbo, an evening newspaper, Mr. Roh struck a reassuring note, saying, “At the end of the day, North Korea will give up its nukes and missiles.”
“Our role is to cooperate so that the North Korean system does not collapse in the event of an opening,” he said. “Neighboring nations will guarantee security for North Korea and provide economic assistance so that the North will participate as a member of the international community.”
Reflecting on his 50 days in Blue House, Mr. Roh spoke frankly about the criminal investigation of two close political affiliates, Ahn Hee-jung and Yeom Dong-yeon, for allegedly receiving illegal political funds. “I am nervous that we may be repeating the mistake of the Kim Dae-jung administration,” he said, referring to its many corruption scandals. His administration, he added, will continue to drive for change.
“It is not only the conservative forces that are resistant to reform,” Mr. Roh said. “It is harder for me when I encounter resistance from the groups leading reform.”
Seeking to calm apprehensions, he said: “Reform of politics will not go beyond what has already been outlined, and the government will follow market principles rather than intervene in the allocation of resources.”
Mr. Roh also met with former U.S. President George H. W. Bush yesterday at the Blue House and entertained him at dinner. He repeated his two principles, that North Korea should not possess nuclear weapons and the issue must be solved peacefully.
“I know there has been misunderstanding,” Mr. Bush replied, “but the United States does not want war with North Korea. But neither does it want North Korea to possess nuclear weapons.”
At dinner, the former U.S. president repeatedly said that Mr. Roh and President George W. Bush should hold knee-to-knee talks. The two would get along, he said, as both value honest, straightforward talk peppered with jokes.

by Kang Min-seok