DATE=6/16/2000 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=CLINTON - KOREA UPDATE (L ONLY) NUMBER=2-263562 BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: President Clinton - traveling in New York Friday - met with a top South Korean envoy to discuss this week's historic summit between North and South Korea. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from the White House. Text: U-S officials say Mr. Clinton emerged from his meeting with South Korea's National Security Adviser, General Hwang Won-Tak, saying he is `hopeful' about prospects for reconciliation on the Korean peninsula. General Hwang gave the President a detailed briefing of the unprecedented summit during a 25-minute meeting at a New York city hotel. U-S officials say the envoy told Mr. Clinton that South Korean President Kim Dae Jung was surprised by the warm welcome he received in Pyongyang from his North Korean counterpart, Kim Jong-il, and the large crowds of people who lined the streets of the city. The envoy said the South Koreans were impressed by the North Korean leader, whom they described as `very smart' and `very engaging'. General Hwang reviewed the details of the summit communique, in which both sides agreed to take steps toward reconciliation and eventual reunification. He told MR. Clinton talks would continue at the ministerial level to discuss expanding economic cooperation. U-S officials say Mr. Clinton found the envoy's account fascinating. // opt // The two men also discussed the fact that the North Korean leader has agreed to visit Seoul, although no date as been scheduled. // end opt // A day earlier, South Korean President Kim offered his assessment of the Pyongyang meeting in a telephone call to Mr. Clinton. U-S officials say Mr. Kim told the President he was encouraged by the atmosphere of the summit. General Hwang told Mr. Clinton that Mr. Kim used the summit to raise his concerns about the North's nuclear and missile programs - describing them as `destabilizing. // opt // Mr. Kim said it was the common objective of the United States and South Korea to find a way to reduce tensions associated with the possibility of the development of nuclear missile programs. // end opt // The United States - citing the threat of missile attack from what it calls rogue nations like North Korea or Iran - wants to develop a national missile defense system to counter that threat. Washington says the threat posed by Pyongyang in the region requires it to maintain the 37-thousand U-S troop deployment on the Korean peninsula. // opt // General Hwang noted the U-S role in bringing stability to the region, and said it provided a context for reconciliation and reunification. // end opt // U-S officials say the envoy and Mr. Clinton did not discuss U-S sanctions on North Korea. But at the State Department, a spokesman said the President would announce an easing of sanctions on Pyongyang on Monday. The administration says the move is not related to this week's summit, but is the result of a decision by Mr. Clinton last September, following North Korea's announced moratorium on testing long-range missiles. (signed) NEB/DAT/PT 16-Jun-2000 17:54 PM LOC (16-Jun-2000 2154 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
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