U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman (New York, New York) September 14, 2000 STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN DPRK LEADERS TO VISIT THE ROK On September 14, 2000, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued an announcement stating that National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Il would visit the Republic of Korea in the near term. According to the announcement, Kim Jong Il's visit will be preceded by a visit to the Republic of Korea by Supreme People's Assembly Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, the head of state of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Department of State warmly welcomes this development. Inter-Korean dialogue is central to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Continued high-level meetings between the two Koreas will build on the achievements of the June 13-15 Inter-Korean summit, providing important opportunities for tension-reduction and confidence-building. We applaud Kim Dae-jung's leadership in pursuing his policy of engagement with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the positive efforts of Chairman Kim Jong Il and of President Kim Yong Nam. The United States has long worked in support of such dialogue, which was envisioned as part of the process outlined by Dr. William Perry in his review of U.S. policy. The United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan have consulted closely together to achieve a coordinated policy pursuing our common concerns regarding weapons of mass destruction and missiles. Our close consultation and coordination with our Korean and Japanese allies will continue.
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