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Korea Times
November 22, 2004
By Shim Jae-yun




U.S. President George W. Bush, right, shakes hands with president Roh Moo-hyun during their bilateral meeting for APEC Summit Saturday in Santiago, Chile.



SANTIAGO - South Korea and the United States were discussing a last-minute deal until late Friday night over how to deal with the North Korean nuclear issue ahead of the summit meeting between President Roh Moo-hyun and U.S. President George W. Bush set to be held here late Saturday.

``We are still engaged in dialogue with the U.S.,’’ said a Seoul official accompanying Roh’s visit.

Despite differing stances over the nuclear issue, Roh and Bush will jointly call on North Korea to rescind its nuclear weapons program, the official said on condition of anonymity.

The two heads of state will also urge the reclusive nation to come to the six-party dialogue table at an early date to discuss the nuclear issue during their summit meeting on the sidelines the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum here.

The summit has been attracting keen attention as it is the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since Bush’s re-election on Nov. 2.

``It will be a crucial summit because the two leaders are set to deal with the grave security issue involving North Korea’s nuclear program for the first time since the U.S. election,’’ said a Seoul official on condition of anonymity.

They will also agree to closely cooperate to find a peaceful resolution to the nuclear standoff through dialogue and there will be no differences in stance between the two leaders over the issue, he added.

Roh created a fresh stir early this week by calling on the United States to discontinue its hostile policy toward North Korea and employ measures to encourage the reclusive nation to come to the dialogue table.

Roh’s remark prompted the opposition Grand National Party to accuse him of sympathizing with North Korea and justifying its ambitions to possess nuclear weapons.

Roh then noted North Korea’s claim that it is attempting to develop nuclear weapons not to attack others but rather to defend itself from external hostility.

The six-party talks aimed at resolving the nuclear impasse have stalled as the North has been boycotting the dialogue, citing the U.S.?hard-line stance.

The sense of crisis on the Korean peninsula has continued to heighten since Bush’s re-election as hawkish policymakers within the Bush administration, largely called neo-conservatives, are expected to wield greater influence during Bush’s second term.

Roh also plans to hold summit talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao Saturday to discuss ways of resolving the nuclear issue peacefully.

He is scheduled to meet with the leaders of Australia, Canada, Peru and Indonesia to discuss the promotion of trade and investment relations and security issues related to North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.


jayshim@koreatimes.co.kr