DATE=6/11/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233701
TITLE=SOUTH KOREA / SANCTIONS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JOHN LARKIN
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  NEWS REPORTS IN SEOUL, SAY SOUTH KOREAN AND AMERICAN 
OFFICIALS PLAN TO MEET NEXT MONTH TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF 
RELAXING SANCTIONS AGAINST NORTH KOREA.  JOHN LARKIN 'REPORTS 
FROM  THE SOUTH KOREAN CAPITAL THAT  THE PLANS REPORTEDLY ARE A 
RESULT OF PRESIDENT KIM DAE-JUNG'S CALLS FOR WASHINGTON TO EASE 
TRADE RESTRICTIONS AGAINST PYONGYANG.

TEXT:   SOUTH KOREA'S SEMI-OFFICIAL YONHAP NEWS AGENCY QUOTES 
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TRAVELING WITH PRESIDENT KIM IN WASHINGTON, 
AS SAYING THE MEETING WOULD  ADDRESS THE SCOPE AND TIMING OF AN 
EASING OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.

PRESIDENT KIM HAS USED HIS FIRST STATE VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES
THIS WEEK TO PUSH FOR LESS ONEROUS SANCTIONS AGAINST NORTH KOREA.
HE BELIEVES THE RESTRICTIONS ARE HAMPERING EFFORTS TO COAX THE 
HARD LINE COMMUNIST NATION CLOSER TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD.  

BUT PRESIDENT KIM'S ENTREATIES WERE GREETED SKEPTICALLY BY  
PRESIDENT CLINTON.  

PRESIDENT CLINTON EMPHASIZED TO HIS SOUTH KOREAN COUNTERPART THAT
NORTH KOREA WILL  HAVE TO PROVE ITS WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE ITS 
WAYS, BEFORE TRADE RESTRICTIONS CAN BE EASED. LEADERS OF THE 
MAJORITY REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS ALSO INSIST LOOSER SANCTIONS 
WOULD REPRESENT U-S ENDORSEMENT OF AN OPPRESSIVE GOVERNMENT. 

CONGRESSIONAL ENDORSEMENT IS NEEDED FOR AN EASING OF SANCTIONS, 
WHICH ARE MANDATED UNDER SEVERAL PIECES OF LEGISLATION.  

YONHAP QUOTES A SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIAL AS SAYING THAT FOREIGN 
AFFAIRS MINISTER PARK CHUNG-SOO AND U-S SECRETARY OF STATE 
MADELEINE ALBRIGHT AGREED TO MEET IN JULY TO WORK OUT THEIR 
DIFFERENCES OVER SANCTIONS.  

SOME POLITICAL ANALYSTS IN SOUTH KOREA ARE URGING THE SEOUL 
GOVERNMENT TO TAKE A BACK SEAT ON THE ISSUE AND GIVE NORTH KOREA 
AN OPENING FOR DIRECT TALKS WITH THE UNITED STATES ON SANCTIONS. 
THE UNITED STATES BANS VIRTUALLY ALL ECONOMIC DEALINGS WITH NORTH
KOREA.  NORTH KOREA HAS REPEATEDLY CALLED FOR AN END TO 
SANCTIONS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/JL/FC

11-Jun-98 4:59 AM EDT (0859 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.