DATE=2/24/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245885
TITLE=KIM / NORTH-SOUTH KOREAN TIES (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JENNIFER VEALE
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT KIM DAE-JUNG ON WEDNESDAY URGED
NORTH KOREA TO ABANDON ITS MILITARY PROGRAMS, IN EXCHANGE FOR
WHAT HE CALLED A PACKAGE DEAL OF BENEFITS.. AS JENNIFER VEALE
REPORTS FROM SEOUL, PRESIDENT KIM IS PROMISING THE NORTH
ECONOMIC AND DIPLOMATIC INCENTIVES, IN RETURN FOR COOPERATION.
TEXT: ON THE EVE OF HIS FIRST ANNIVERSARY IN OFFICE, PRESIDENT
KIM SAID SOUTH KOREA, THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN COULD HELP
NORTH KOREA BECOME WHAT HE TERMS "A RESPONSIBLE MEMBER OF THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY."
PRESIDENT KIM ALSO IS OFFERING TO REPATRIATE 17 LONG-TERM
POLITICAL PRISONERS TO NORTH KOREA, IN EXCHANGE FOR THE RETURN OF
SOUTH KOREAN PRISONERS OF WAR.
MR. KIM PREDICTS HIS COUNTRY, JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES WOULD
LIFT ECONOMIC SANCTIONS, ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC TIES AND PROVIDE
MORE FOOD TO THE FAMINE STRICKEN NORTH. BUT HE SAYS IT MUST
AGREE TO HALT ITS SUSPECT NUCLEAR PROGRAM AND ITS EFFORTS TO
DEVELOP LONG RANGE MISSILES.
NORTH KOREA HAS ALWAYS LINKED AN EASING OF SANCTIONS BY THE
UNITED STATES TO ANY REDUCTION IN ITS MILITARY CAPABILITIES.
PRESIDENT KIM SAYS THE RECIPROCAL ARRANGEMENTS FORM THE KEY
PLANKS OF A "PACKAGE DEAL," HE BELIEVES COULD END HOSTILITIES ON
THE KOREAN PENINSULA. BUT HE ADDS THAT IF THE NORTH CONTINUES
TO RESIST MAKING SINCERE CONCESSIONS, IT WILL FACE GREATER
OBSTACLES OBTAINING FOOD AID FROM INTERNATIONAL DONORS IN THE
FUTURE.
AT A NEWS CONFERENCE TO MARK HIS FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE, PRESIDENT
KIM SAID HIS PROPOSAL COULD GIVE NORTH KOREA THE INCENTIVE IT
NEEDS TO BRING IT INTO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
PRESIDENT KIM'S GOVERNMENT HAS EMBARKED UPON A PROGRAM OF
ENGAGEMENT WITH THE NORTH, CALLED THE "SUNSHINE POLICY," WHICH
HAS SEEN INCREASED CULTURAL AND BUSINESS EXCHANGES.
ON THE PRISONER RELEASE, TO TAKE PLACE THURSDAY, PRESIDENT KIM IS
INDICATING HIS GOVERNMENT MIGHT ACCEPT NORTH KOREA'S RECENT
REQUEST TO RETURN THE 17 FORMER NORTH KOREAN SPIES . THE 17 HAVE
BEEN IMPRISONED FOR AT LEAST 29 YEARS. THEY ARE CONSIDERED
POLITICAL PRISONERS BECAUSE THEY REFUSED PREVIOUS AMNESTIES THAT
REQUIRED THEM TO RENOUNCE COMMUNISM. PRESIDENT KIM IS PROPOSING
THAT IN EXCHANGE FOR THE 17, PYONGYANG RELEASE 300 SOUTH KOREAN
ARMY VETERANS CAPTURED BETWEEN 1950 AND 1953, DURING THE KOREAN
WAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/JV/GC/FC
24-Feb-99 3:29 AM EST (0829 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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