U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
(New York, New York)
September 14, 2000
STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN
DPRK LEADERS TO VISIT THE ROK
On September 14, 2000, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea issued an announcement stating that
National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Il would visit the
Republic of Korea in the near term. According to the announcement, Kim
Jong Il's visit will be preceded by a visit to the Republic of Korea
by Supreme People's Assembly Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, the
head of state of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The Department of State warmly welcomes this development. Inter-Korean
dialogue is central to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Continued high-level meetings between the two Koreas will build on the
achievements of the June 13-15 Inter-Korean summit, providing
important opportunities for tension-reduction and confidence-building.
We applaud Kim Dae-jung's leadership in pursuing his policy of
engagement with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the
positive efforts of Chairman Kim Jong Il and of President Kim Yong
Nam.
The United States has long worked in support of such dialogue, which
was envisioned as part of the process outlined by Dr. William Perry in
his review of U.S. policy. The United States, the Republic of Korea,
and Japan have consulted closely together to achieve a coordinated
policy pursuing our common concerns regarding weapons of mass
destruction and missiles.
Our close consultation and coordination with our Korean and Japanese
allies will continue.
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