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08 December 1998

TEXT: PRESS RELEASE ON PERRY VISIT TO KOREA

(Review of U.S. policy towards North Korea)  (520)
Seoul -- William J. Perry, Special Advisor to President Clinton and
Secretary of State Albright and North Korea Policy Coordinator,
conducted two days of intensive meetings with Republic of Korea (ROK)
officials and North Korea specialists as part of a review of U.S.
policy towards North Korea.
"It was important for us to consult with the ROK because any U.S.
policy must be conducted shoulder-to-shoulder with the ROK," the
former secretary of defense said. "We came to listen, not present any
views of our own, since we just began this policy review. We have not
come to any judgments."
"This trip to the Republic of Korea, China and Japan is a critical
initial step after President Clinton asked me to conduct a review of
U.S. policy toward North Korea," Perry said before departing Seoul for
Beijing and Tokyo for a day of consultations in each capital.
Following is the text of the press release:
(begin text)
98-23
December 8, 1998
Secretary Perry's Visit to Korea
Former Secretary of Defense William J. Perry, Special Advisor to
President Clinton and Secretary of State Albright and North Korea
Policy Coordinator, finished two days of intensive meetings with
Republic of Korea officials and North Korea specialists. Secretary
Perry was seeking the views of South Korea as he embarks on a review
of U.S. policy towards North Korea. Secretary Perry was accompanied by
State Department Counselor Ambassador Wendy Sherman, Special Advisor
Dr. Ashton B. Carter, and State Department Senior Advisor Philip Yun.
Dr. Perry met with President Kim Dae Jung, Foreign Minister Hong,
Minister of National Defense Chun, Minister of National Unification
Kang, National Security Advisor Lim, and NIS Director Lee. He also met
with scholars, former government officials, and Korean business
leaders, representing a wide range of South Korean views convened by
the Seoul Forum. Perry also visited the Combined Forces Command and
U.S. Forces Korea.
Tonight Perry departs for Beijing and Tokyo for a day of consultations
in each capital.
"This trip to the Republic of Korea, China and Japan is a critical
initial step after President Clinton asked me to conduct a review of
U.S. policy toward North Korea," Perry said before departing Seoul.
"It was important for us to consult with the ROK because any U.S.
policy must be conducted shoulder-to-shoulder with the ROK. We came to
listen, not present any views of our own, since we just began this
policy review. We have not come to any judgments. We had an excellent
meeting with President Kim, in which he described his thinking about
North Korea and his discussions with President Clinton during
President Clinton's recent visit. We were able to ask President Kim a
number of questions that we will be considering for the review. I've
learned a great deal from President Kim's answers and from the other
ROK officials and experts with whom I've met."
(end text)