Seoul Regrets Pyongyang's Threat
2003-05-22
Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday (May 21) expressed regret over North Korea's threat that "Seoul will face disaster," a threatening remark made during the fifth Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee meeting in Pyongyang Tuesday.
“We feel very sorry and regretful over such a statement from the North,” said Ban Ki-moon, presidential secretary for foreign affairs, in an interview with a radio program.
North Korea threatened that Seoul will suffer from considerable calamities if it presses for antagonistic attitude toward the reclusive nation in dealing with nuclear issues.
“It seems North Korea has failed to understand our true intention for peaceful resolution of the nuclear standoff and to smoothly push for inter-Korean cooperation and exchange projects,” Ban said.
He underlined the need to maintain the momentum for dialogue with North Korea on the basis of mutual respect and trust, in close alliance with the United States and Japan.
“In the process, patience is needed,” he said.
Ban reaffirmed the government's stand that it would unswervingly continue inter-Korean economic projects while seeking peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue.
“It is very important to safely manage inter-Korean relations while continuing efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue through peaceful means,” he added.
He also expressed regret over the simmering criticism on the outcome of President Roh Moo-hyun's visit to the United States, saying, “It is inappropriate to focus only on what the president said rather than on the result of the visit.”
“Without doubt, Roh's visit was fruitful and more than 70 percent of the people assess the visit positively,” he said.
Regarding the envisioned summit meeting between U.S. President George W. Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, he said the two heads of state are expected to come up with a similar stance on the North Korean nuclear issue as set forth in the joint statement adopted at the end of the Roh-Bush summit talks.
“All neighboring nations including the U.S., Japan, China and Russia support the nuclear-free Korean peninsula and agree on the need to peacefully resolve the nuclear issue. An array of summit meetings will help devise joint strategies toward settlement of the nuclear standoff,” he said.
Source : www.korea.net
