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20 January 1999

TRANSCRIPT: COHEN 1/15 PRESS CONFERENCE WITH ROK MINISTER CHUN

(Security Consultative Meetings show U.S.-ROK partnership) (2550)
Seoul, South Korea -- The Security Consultative Meetings between the
United States and South Korea "illustrate the enduring security
partnership that is the key to peace and stability on the Korean
peninsula," Secretary of Defense William Cohen said during a January
15 press conference in Seoul, South Korea.
"We are living in a period of opportunity and risk," Cohen said.
"(South Korean) President Kim's policy of engaging North Korea in the
Four-Party Talks raises the possibility of diplomatic progress toward
reconciliation and peace."
However, he added, "North Korea's continuing infiltration attempts,
recent Taepo Dong missile launch, and the resistance to allow
inspections of an underground facility that could be an attempt to
evade the Agreed Framework threaten to frustrate that promise."
Cohen said that the United States remains committed to dialogue
between North and South Korea, but stressed that the United States
also places a top priority on maintaining peace and stability in the
region.
"Our commitment to dialogue is guided by a firm determination to
protect our security interests," he said.
Cohen also stressed the importance of the Agreed Framework, a 1994
pact signed between the United States and North Korea.
Under the Agreed Framework, North Korea agreed to dismantle its gas
graphite nuclear reactor program, which produced weapons-grade
material. North Korea also agreed to engage in dialogue with South
Korea, remain in the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and to meet obligations
set by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
In exchange, the United States spearheaded the establishment of the
Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) -- an
international consortium led by the United States, the Republic of
Korea, Japan, and the European Union -- to finance the building of two
light water reactors to meet North Korean energy needs.
"North Korea will dash any hope of realizing the benefits of dialogue
and engagement, if it undermines the Agreed Framework. The United
States will continue to work to preserve that agreement, but we cannot
do it alone," he said.
Following is an official transcript of the press conference from the
Department of Defense:
(begin transcript)
DOD NEWS BRIEFING
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1999
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM S. COHEN
PRESS CONFERENCE BY ROK MINISTER CHUN
AND SECRETARY COHEN, SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
Minister Chun: Secretary Cohen and I have concluded the 30th ROK/US
Security Consultative Meeting, during which we discussed a range of
issues in a very frank and candid manner. As the first SCM since the
launch of a new Korean administration, this morning's talks laid the
groundwork for us so we can further consolidate our bilateral
alliance, in preparation for the 21st Century. Based on deep mutual
trust between the leaders of our two nations, as well as close
interaction between key military leaders, the current ROK/US alliance
is at the pinnacle of success.
Taking into account the uncertainty of the Korean peninsula security
environment, between North Korea's missile launch and suspected
underground facilities, Secretary Cohen and I held in-depth
discussions on military diplomatic countermeasures to manage Korean
security in a stable and efficient manner, in the event of
contingencies on the peninsula. During the talks we agreed to develop
a team providing the best posture including the full range of
cooperation of intelligence exchanges, combined with operation, in
order to counter diverse security challenges posed by North Korea.
Also, we closely consulted on ways to prevent a crisis in advance.
Secretary Cohen and I reconfirmed the unswerving U.S. support of
Korea's policy toward North Korea. We also consolidated the ROK/US
coordination on North Korea policy with regard to such issues as to
agreed framework, four-party talks, and the U.S./North Korea talks. We
shared the view that the promotion of policies pertaining to these
matters should be undercoated by a strong combined defense policy. In
addition, Secretary Cohen and I discussed various ways to further
produce cooperation in the areas of defense industry and logistics, in
lieu of the current economic difficulties in Korea. Also, we are very
pleased that the SCM was concluded in a very satisfactory manner, and
this once again reflects the strength and the spirit of our alliance.
The 30th SCM has provided me with the opportunity to further my
personal (unintelligible) to Secretary Cohen, and I'd like to extend
my heart-felt appreciation to the Secretary and all the members of the
U.S./Korea delegation for participating in the 30th SCM.
Secretary Cohen: Thank you very much. Minister Chun, thank you for
your very fine comments. As the Minister has indicated, we have just
concluded the 30th Security Consultative Meeting between our two
countries.
These meetings began with a showing of a seven minute film, and it
captured all of those meetings that have taken place during the past
decades. I very much appreciated the film and what it represented to
our two countries. These meetings illustrate the enduring security
partnership that is the key to peace and stability on the Korean
peninsula. We are living in a period of opportunity and risk.
President Kim's policy of engaging North Korea in the Four-Party Talks
raises the possibility of diplomatic progress toward reconciliation
and peace.
North Korea's continuing infiltration attempts, recent Taepo Dong
missile launch, and the resistance to allow inspections of an
underground facility that could be an attempt to evade the Agreed
Framework threaten to frustrate that promise. In the face of this
uncertainty, our policy is and must remain clear and unwavering.
We will maintain a strong deterrent, as we pursue dialogue with North
Korea. The hope of diplomacy rests on reality of that deterrence, and
our deterrence is stronger than ever. In the last few years, both the
Republic of Korea and the United States have modernized our forces.
Our forces have updated plans for all contingencies on the Korean
peninsula, and they have conducted more realistic and demanding
combined training exercises.
Our efforts have been guided by close consultations at all levels. For
example, this is my fifth meeting with my Korean counterpart in just
two years. As General Tilelli has said, "We achieve strength through
alliance," and our allied military capability has never been stronger,
nor more sure of decisive victory, if attacked. North Korea will dash
any hope of realizing the benefits of dialogue and engagement, if it
undermines the Agreed Framework. The United States will continue to
work to preserve that agreement, but we cannot do it alone.
At a time when North Korea can not feed its own people, the entire
peninsula would benefit from policies in the North that encourage the
benefits of cooperation rather than raise the risks of confrontation.
Our commitment to dialogue is guided by a firm determination to
protect our security interests, and one reason that the security
partnership between the United States and the Republic of Korea is so
strong and durable is because both of our countries do our respective
shares.
I am pleased by the new agreement to help offset the costs of
stationing U.S. troops here, and the fact that our Korean allies made
this commitment -- the first of a three year package -- in the face of
its economic difficulties, demonstrates its commitment to a strong
deterrence and a strong alliance. I look forward to hosting our next
SCM meeting in Washington this fall.
Q: This question is directed to Minister Chun. There are straying
rumors in Korea that a crisis will emerge on the Korean peninsula in
either March or May. Is this true, and what measures is Korea taking
to cope with such rumors?
A: (Chun): I think that the rumors of a crisis on the Korean peninsula
is caused by potential North Korea changes -- the changes in North
Korea as a result of its weapons of mass destruction, it's missile
launch, and nuclear program, and in its provocations. Also, it owes to
the difficulties that the Korean economy now faces. The highlight of
this rumor is that North Korea's missile launch. I'm sure that should
North Korea launch a second missile, this would, indeed, undermine
stability on the Korean peninsula. Therefore, Korea is closely working
with the U.S. and other international members to prevent North Korea
from developing, deploying, and exporting these missiles. As far as
the suspected nuclear facility, Secretary Cohen and I agree that we
should first acquire, again, conclusive evidence, and then work on
joint countermeasures. I believe that we face a crisis when we are
unable to evaluate the situations that lay ahead of us. However, Korea
and the U.S., are based on very strong and solid exchanges of
intelligence and cooperation, and are able to assess the situation in
a very clear manner. I believe that a crisis on the Korean peninsula
will not evolve.
Q: You have several times on the trip, and again today, praised
President Kim's so-called "Sunshine Policy" -- for more openness and
better ties with North Korea. The United States has balked against
direct diplomatic relations with Pyongyang in the past. Are you now
willing to consider direct ties with Pyongyang, more openness, more
aid, diplomatically and in other ways, in return for receiving access
to the site in North Korea?
A: (Cohen): What we have indicated in the past is that we support the
Four-Party talks, and we will continue to participate in the
Four-Party talks as such.
We do not, in any way, want to substitute the United States for the
direct dialogue that should occur between the North and the South.
But, yes, we support President Kim's engagement policy. We hope that
that will produce a very positive result, but we do not want, in any
way, to either undercut that or interfere with that, because we
believe that the best hope for resolving tensions and issues that
exist between North Korea and South Korea should be resolved between
the two.
So, we will be helpful, we will be supportive, and we will try to
contribute in any way we can, but we believe the direct tie in that
relationship should take place and should take place between the North
and the South.
Q: So, you're not objecting to direct -- at this time -- to direct
diplomatic ties between Pyongyang and Washington?
A: (Cohen): I am neither objecting nor directing nor contradicting.
What I'm simply saying is that our policy is to encourage -- he
Four-Party talks, we will continue to participate in that forum, but
it should be between the North and the South to have direct dialogue
to resolve differences. We will be of assistance, but we do not want
to be in a position of having the North seek to separate out the
dialogue between North and South, and try to make it one between
Washington and the North.
Q: My question is for Secretary Cohen. First question: I believe you
had a special visit in Japan and you mentioned about a possible
military options to cope with North Korea's possible threat and
suspected underground facilities. What are the military options?
Second question was: We believe when Minister Chun discussed reckoning
of -- to eliminate the North Korean missiles, what agreement has been
reached?
A: (Cohen): With respect to your first question, we did not have any
discussions in Japan dealing with military options against the North.
As I've indicated before, we intend to maintain a very strong
deterrence in conjunction with our partner, the Republic of Korea. We
believe that deterrence must continue to be strengthened, and that we
have the determination to remain and to have a strong defense and
deterrent capability. It is our hope that the North will see fit to
reduce tensions, to resist the temptation to launch more Taepo Dong
missiles and to create instability in the region. But we did not have
any discussions about military options wile I was in Japan.
With respect to the second question, I believe we have reached an
acceptable accommodation to deal with the situation as far as the
threat posed by the North, and that agreement is satisfactory with the
United States.
Q: Secretary Cohen, can you confirm the reports today that you have
authorized heavy bombing of air defenses in Northern Iraq to begin
after Ramadan?
A: (Cohen): I've heard the question before about a rumor circulating
in Korea about certain actions -- a crisis that was going to take
place in February, March, April, or May of this year. Rumors that are
reported long enough are sometimes reported as fact.
There's no basis to the rumor about any action taken against Northern
Iraq following Ramadan. Saddam Hussein is under an obligation to
comply with the U.N. Security Council Resolutions. As we've indicated
before, on many, many occasions, we intend to continue our containment
policy. We intend to continue to prevent him from posing a threat to
his neighbors and attacking his neighbors and in developing weapons of
mass destruction, capable of threatening his neighbors. That is our
policy and that will remain intact. So, there is no basis to the rumor
that you have just raised.
I've also indicated that, as Saddam Hussein continues to pose a threat
to our pilots, who are enforcing the no-fly zones, that the United
States and our partner, Great Britain, will take as great an action as
is necessary to protect the lives of those pilots.
Q: This is a question to Secretary Cohen. The U.S. has gained
conclusive evidence with regards to the Kunchangri underground
facility and the high explosives facility at Yongduk Dong. These were
based on soil gatherings from these areas, as well as photograph --
satellite photographs. Is this true? If so, would this mean that North
Korea is breaking the Geneva agreement?
A: (Cohen): First let me indicate that the United States has not taken
a position that there is conclusive evidence of a violation of the
Agreed Framework. What we have indicated is that there is sufficient
reason to suspect that there is a question as to whether or not this
might constitute a violation of the Agreed Framework, which is the
reason why we're insisting upon having the right to inspect that
facility -- to satisfy ourselves that the North Koreans are, in fact,
complying with the agreement.
So, we are not suggesting that there is conclusive evidence. We
believe that there is sufficient evidence for us to be suspicious of
that site, and those suspicions must be addressed in order to satisfy
ourselves, that the agreement is being complied with.
Q: Mr. Secretary, in the past week there has been attacks just about
every day in the no-fly zone. Has the point now been reached where
Iraqi SAM's in those zones, (unintelligible) or not, should be
considered posing a threat to U.S. policy (unintelligible)?
A: (Cohen): As I've indicated on several occasions during the past
week, we will take whatever action is necessary to protect the lives
of our pilots and those of our British friends, who are enforcing the
no-fly zones, both in the North and the South. That is our policy and
a policy that we continue. Thank you.
(end transcript)