DATE=9/10/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-238444
TITLE=SOUTH KOREA / NORTH KOREA UPDATE (L)
BYLINE=KEN SCHWARTZ
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: SOUTH KOREA'S FOREIGN MINISTER HONG SOON-YOUNG SAYS ALL
AVAILABLE INFORMATION SUPPORTS NORTH KOREA'S EXPLANATION THAT
LAST WEEK'S TEST LAUNCH OF AN INTERMEDIATE-RANGE MISSILE WAS
ACTUALLY A SATELLITE THAT FAILED TO REACH ORBIT. DESPITE THIS
APPARENT SHOW OF STRENGTH BY THE NORTH, MR. HONG SAYS THERE WILL
BE NO EASING OF EFFORTS TO HELP BRING NORTH KOREA INTO THE WORLD
COMMUNITY. V-O-A'S KEN SCHWARTZ REPORTS.
TEXT: AT A WASHINGTON NEWS CONFERENCE (TODAY, THURSDAY), SOUTH
KOREA'S MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE, HONG SOON-YOUNG,
SAID THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE NORTH KOREA'S POSSIBLE TEST
FLIGHT LAST WEEK OF A TAEPODONG (TAH-PO-DONG) MISSILE VIOLATED
THE FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT THAT FROZE THE NORTH'S SUSPECTED NUCLEAR
WEAPONS PROGRAM. WHETHER IT WAS A MISSILE OR A SATELLITE THAT
THE NORTH TRIED TO LAUNCH INTO ORBIT, MR. HONG SAYS IT IS
IMPORTANT TO PRESERVE THAT AGREEMENT.
/// HONG ACT ///
THE FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT I REPEAT IS A CONTRIBUTION TO
THE STABILITY IN THE KOREAN PENINSULA AND THE REACTION
TO THE MISSILE FIRING IS ANOTHER SECURITY THREAT.
THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT THIS IS A THREAT NOT ONLY TO MY
NATION BUT TO THE REGION AS A WHOLE."
/// END ACT ///
MR. HONG SAID DESPITE WHAT HE CALLS THE TRICKINESS OF
INTER-KOREAN RELATIONS, SEOUL BELIEVES ENGAGING NORTH KOREA IN
DIALOGUE IS THE WISEST PATH TO TAKE.
/// HONG ACT ///
IN TIME, THE ENGAGEMENT POLICY HAS THE BEST CHANCE OF
NUDGING NORTH KOREA TO COME OUT OF ITS SELF-IMPOSED
ISOLATION AND MOVE TOWARD GRADUAL OPENING AND EXCHANGE.
/// END ACT ///
THE SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIAL SAYS HE DOES NOT BELIEVE THE COLLAPSE
OF NORTH KOREA IS IMMINENT AND SAYS SEOUL WILL TAKE NO STEPS TO
HASTEN ITS DEMISE.
MR. HONG SAYS HIS COUNTRY'S EFFORTS FOCUS ON A PEACEFUL
CO-EXISTENCE WITH THE NORTH. BUT HE SAYS THERE ARE LIMITS ON HOW
FAR THE SOUTH IS WILLING TO GO TO PUSH FOR CHANGE IN THE NORTH.
/// HONG ACT ///
THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT NORTH KOREA WILL RESPOND WITH
REASON AND IN GOOD FAITH TO WHAT THE SOUTH HAS TO OFFER.
/// END ACT ///
MR. HONG CONFIRMED REPORTS THAT DESPITE THE ALLEGED MISSILE TEST
THE UNITED STATES PLANS TO SHIP ABOUT 300-THOUSAND TONS IN FOOD
AID SPREAD OUT OVER AN UNSPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME TO THE
FAMINE-STRICKEN NORTH.(SIGNED)
NEB/PT
10-Sep-98 7:00 PM EDT (2300 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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