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Tracking Number:  205522

Title:  "Editorial: North Korean Nuclear Weapons."

Despite growing international condemnation, communist North Korea seems intent on building nuclear weapons, prompting Secretary of Defense Cheney and South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong Koo to announce the postponement of further US troop reductions in South Korea. (911126)

Date:  19911126

Text:
*TXT201

11/26/91

EDITORIAL: NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR WEAPONS (320)

N(Following is an editorial, broadcast by the Voice of America November 26, reflecting the views of the U.S. government.)

TDespite growing condemnation, Communist North Korea seems intent on building nuclear weapons. Meeting recently with South Korean President Roh Tae Woo in Seoul, U.S. Secretary of State James Baker called North Korea's weapons program "the greatest threat to regional security." As a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, North Korea is obliged to permit inspection of its nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency, but the country's leader, Kim Il Sung, has refused.

In Seoul recently, U.S. Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney said in a joint statement with South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong Koo that "North Korea must abandon its nuclear weapons program." Secretary Cheney and Minister Lee said the United States and South Korea would "pursue all available means" to block North Korea's efforts to develop nuclear weapons. Cheney said, "we are convinced that North Korea is developing the capability to build a nuclear weapon. Of particular concern is North Korea's suspected construction of a nuclear reprocessing plant. Such a facility would give Pyongyang the capability to produce weapons-grade plutonium."

Secretary Cheney and Minister Lee announced that the United States and South Korea had agreed to postpone further reductions of U.S. troops in South Korea because of the uncertainty over North Korea's nuclear program. Cheney said, "Pyongyang's refusal to shed light on its nuclear developments has generated concern, worldwide. North Korea has a 40-year history of aggression (and) terrorism.... At home, Kim Il Sung has maintained his country on a permanent war footing, at the expense of political and economic reform. He has refused to renounce the use of force to reunite the two Koreas. These factors make the prospect of a North Korea with nuclear weapons, particularly with missile delivery systems, the most serious threat to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and, indeed, in East Asia."

NNNN

File Identification:  11/26/91, TX-201; 11/26/91, AX-202; 11/26/91, AR-216; 11/26/91, EP-203; 11/26/91, EU-218; 11/26/91, NX-202
Product Name:  Wireless File; VOA Editorials
Product Code:  WF; VO
Keywords:  KOREA (SOUTH)-US RELATIONS; KOREA (NORTH)-US RELATIONS; KOREA (NORTH)/Defense & Military; MILITARY CAPABILITIES; NUCLEAR WEAPONS; CHENEY, RICHARD B; LEE JONG KOO; NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY (NPT); ARMED FORCES, US; FORCE & TROOP
Document Type:  EDI
Thematic Codes:  140; 1DE; 1AC
Target Areas:  AF; AR; EA; EU; NE
PDQ Text Link:  205522