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Roh Reaffirms Objection to US Troop Reduction

2003-03-06

The government on Thursday (March 6) reaffirmed its stance against any reduction in the number of U.S. troops stationed here, citing the international standoff triggered by North Korea's nuclear programs.

At the first meeting of national security-related ministers, presided over by President Roh Moo-hyun at Cheong Wa Dae, it was agreed that the repositioning of 37,000 troops should not lead to partial or complete U.S. military withdrawal.

Prior to the meeting, Roh's Senior Advisor for Foreign Policy Ban Ki-moon told reporters that the realignment of U.S. troops would be tackled but it shouldn't be construed as a prelude to their withdrawal from the peninsula.

Foreign Minister Yoon Young-kwan is visiting Washington this month for high-level consultations with his U.S. counterpart Colin Powell to coordinate their joint approach toward the North and smooth out differences. Yoon also will talk with U.S. officials about Roh's maiden trip to Washington, which is expected sometime in May.

The agreement came at a point when military tensions are increasing over the North's reactivation of its nuclear programs, following additional military provocations. North Korea recently threatened a U.S. spy plane in international airspace and test-fired a cruise missile in what was evaluated as a calculated move to bring Washington to the negotiating table.

In response, U.S. dispatched two dozens long-range bombers to its airbase on Guam, which have the North within the striking range.

A senior presidential aide said the participants of the meeting also agreed to push ahead with Roh's policy for peace and prosperity toward the North, which laid out three ground rules _ zero tolerance for Pyongyang's nuclear development; peaceful resolution of the North's nuclear challenge through dialogue; and Seoul's positive role in the process.

Meanwhile, it was decided at the meeting that the National Security Council will be expanded to become the nerve center for all national emergencies, including natural and man-made calamities.

On March 4, President Roh ordered the launch of a secretariat to be operated under the control of the NSC to handle all kinds of disasters.

On hand at the meeting were Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun, Foreign Minister Yoon, Defense Minister Cho Young-kil, National Intelligence Service Director Shin Kuhn, National Security Advisor Ra Jong-yil and Senior Advisor for Foreign Policy Ban Ki-moon.

Source : www.korea.net