President Meets Leaders of Korean Community in NYC

By Oh Young-jin
Staff Reporter

ABOARD THE PRESIDENTIAL PLANE- President Roh Moo-hyun left for the United States for a summit meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush to realign the two countries’ half-century-old alliance and determine the future course of handling the North Korean nuclear crisis.

``During my trip to the U.S., I intend to closely discuss with President Bush ways of improving ROK-U.S. relations, peacefully resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and strengthening economic ties,’’ Roh said in his departure speech at Seoul Airport in Songnam, east of Seoul. ``For the past 50 years, the two countries’ alliance has greatly contributed to the peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and helped the South Korean economy enormously.’’

``For the next 50 years, the two countries will improve their relations as full partners on the basis of mutual respect and reciprocity but our alliance will remain as solid as ever,’’ he said.

Looking ahead at what is perceived to be the toughest item on the summit agenda, Roh said, ``Korea and U.S. have closely coordinated with each other to bring a peaceful and prompt end to the North Korean nuclear issue through dialogue, while being of the same opinion that the nuclear weapons should not be tolerated under any circumstances.’’

He stressed that he is confident that the issue would eventually be peacefully resolved.

In a Cabinet meeting, Roh said he did not intend to resolve every outstanding issue with the U.S. through his visit.

``The situation is quite complicated and difficult,’’ he said. ``Korea and the U.S. have repeatedly confirmed their intention to resolve the North Korean issue peacefully through dialogue. I will settle for another confirmation of this principle.’’

He observed that if a new approach were adopted, it would create strategic disadvantages in the ongoing negotiations with the North.

Regarding the economic part of his U.S. trip, Roh said he was planning to meet a number of top U.S. financiers to help convince them that Korea is a safe place to invest. ``I am planning to disclose my vision to develop Korea into the economic hub of Northeast Asia,’’ he said.

Upon arrival at JFK Airport in New York, the president will start the first day of his seven-day trip. A Chong Wa Dae official said Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly will lead the U.S. delegation welcoming the South Korean head of state.

He will invite hundreds of Korean residents in the U.S. to the Waldorf-Astoria, the hotel where he is staying, to chat with them.

The next day, he is scheduled to visit the New York Stock Exchange and sound the opening bell of the day’s business in the world’s largest stock exchange.

The Roh-Bush summit, the highlight of Roh’s visit, is scheduled to start at 7 a.m. on May 15 (Korean Standard Time).