• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Roh, Bush Agree on Peaceful Solution of NK Nuke

2003-03-14

President Roh Moo-hyun held telephone talks with U.S. President George W. Bush Thursday (March 13) night on North Korea and Iraq, Cheong Wa Dae said.

During the 15-minute telephone conversation, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and shared a view that the North Korean nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully through diplomatic efforts, said presidential spokeswoman Song Kyoung-hee.

Bush asked Roh to visit the United States as early as possible and Roh replied he is looking forward to meeting the U.S. leader.

Bush thanked Roh for the Korean government's support for the United States in the Iraq issue and Roh promised to provide an active support for U.S. efforts to resolve the Iraq issue based on the spirit of the Korea-U.S. alliance.

Roh also said he highly evaluates and supports Bush's leadership in preventing international terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. "The South Korean government will cooperate with the United Sates on the Iraq issue under a spirit of respecting the Korea-U.S. alliance," Roh was quoted as telling Bush.

Although there were some reports of disagreement between the two countries, Roh said, he confirmed through various channels that there is no disagreement in the two countries' policies. "I hope the two countries will consult each other in advance and work closely together to resolve the matter," Roh said.

Bush said the United States would maintain a strong Korea-U.S. alliance in the future, adding that the alliance will be a key cornerstone of U.S. diplomatic policies.

The U.S. leader also said that the U.S. policy is for peace on the Korean Peninsula, stressing that his country would study every means to maintain peace on the peninsula.

Bush said he hopes to discuss with Roh important issues between the two countries in his office, offering his invitation again for Roh to visit the United States.

Roh said he hopes to visit Bush as early as possible and to "have useful, candid talks with an open heart."

"Through dialogue like this, I expect that we can make the Korea-U.S. ties closer and stronger and find a good solution to the North Korean nuclear issue," he said.

Source : www.korea.net