DATE=6/16/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - KOREA UPDATE (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263562
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: President Clinton - traveling in New York
Friday - met with a top South Korean envoy to discuss
this week's historic summit between North and South
Korea. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from the
White House.
Text: U-S officials say Mr. Clinton emerged from his
meeting with South Korea's National Security Adviser,
General Hwang Won-Tak, saying he is `hopeful' about
prospects for reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.
General Hwang gave the President a detailed briefing
of the unprecedented summit during a 25-minute meeting
at a New York city hotel.
U-S officials say the envoy told Mr. Clinton that
South Korean President Kim Dae Jung was surprised by
the warm welcome he received in Pyongyang from his
North Korean counterpart, Kim Jong-il, and the large
crowds of people who lined the streets of the city.
The envoy said the South Koreans were impressed by the
North Korean leader, whom they described as `very
smart' and `very engaging'.
General Hwang reviewed the details of the summit
communique, in which both sides agreed to take steps
toward reconciliation and eventual reunification.
He told MR. Clinton talks would continue at the
ministerial level to discuss expanding economic
cooperation.
U-S officials say Mr. Clinton found the envoy's
account fascinating.
// opt // The two men also discussed the fact that
the North Korean leader has agreed to visit Seoul,
although no date as been scheduled. // end opt //
A day earlier, South Korean President Kim offered his
assessment of the Pyongyang meeting in a telephone
call to Mr. Clinton. U-S officials say Mr. Kim told
the President he was encouraged by the atmosphere of
the summit.
General Hwang told Mr. Clinton that Mr. Kim used the
summit to raise his concerns about the North's nuclear
and missile programs - describing them as
`destabilizing.
// opt // Mr. Kim said it was the common objective of
the United States and South Korea to find a way to
reduce tensions associated with the possibility of the
development of nuclear missile programs. // end opt //
The United States - citing the threat of missile
attack from what it calls rogue nations like North
Korea or Iran - wants to develop a national missile
defense system to counter that threat.
Washington says the threat posed by Pyongyang in the
region requires it to maintain the 37-thousand U-S
troop deployment on the Korean peninsula.
// opt // General Hwang noted the U-S role in bringing
stability to the region, and said it provided a
context for reconciliation and reunification. // end
opt //
U-S officials say the envoy and Mr. Clinton did not
discuss U-S sanctions on North Korea. But at the
State Department, a spokesman said the President would
announce an easing of sanctions on Pyongyang on
Monday.
The administration says the move is not related to
this week's summit, but is the result of a decision by
Mr. Clinton last September, following North Korea's
announced moratorium on testing long-range missiles.
(signed)
NEB/DAT/PT
16-Jun-2000 17:54 PM LOC (16-Jun-2000 2154 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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