Kim Explains Cash Remittance to NK by Hyundai
2003-02-14
President Kim Dae-jung Friday (Feb. 14) apologized for the controversy surrounding the remittance of $200 million to poverty-stricken North Korea by Hyundai Merchant Marine a week before the landmark inter-Korean summit in June 2000 in Pyongyang.
"I am very sorry that the controversy involving Hyundai Merchant Marine's transfer of funds to North Korea has caused such uneasiness for the nation," Kim said in a press conference.
Hyundai provided the money in return for the rights to pursue seven major development projects in North Korea including electricity, railway, telecommunications, tourism and the Gaesong Industrial Complex, Kim said.
Kim is to step down on Feb. 25 after a five-year term of office.
"The government allowed Hyundai to remit the money despite some legal problems involved because we thought the remittance helped secure peace and was in the national interest," Kim said.
The outgoing president noted that the Hyundai Group helped the Seoul government pursue the inter-Korean summit.
Kim said he thought the government should reveal the truth about the controversy, adding "I think I, as president, will have to assume all responsibility."
Kim asked for the nation to understand the government had to deal with some affairs with North Korea "outside of the legal framework" because of the duplicity of inter-Korean relations and the closed nature of the North Korean regime.
Kim claimed the government allowed the secret money transfer to North Korea in order to prevent war, allow the nation to live peacefully and prosper, and eventually move toward national reunification.
Kim also appealed to the opposition parties to make a political decision to protect national interests.
"I hope you will make a political decision for the sake of national interests," Kim said. "The future of inter-Korean relations and the interests of the nation and country depend on your decision."
Kim defended his sunshine policy of engaging North Korea and said, "Despite some criticism of the sunshine policy, North Korea began accepting the market system" and the people of the North have begun to see South Koreans in a different light.
Source : www.korea.net
