DATE=2/24/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245885
TITLE=KIM /  NORTH-SOUTH KOREAN TIES (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JENNIFER VEALE
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:   

INTRO:  SOUTH  KOREAN PRESIDENT KIM DAE-JUNG ON WEDNESDAY URGED 
NORTH KOREA TO ABANDON ITS MILITARY PROGRAMS, IN EXCHANGE FOR 
WHAT HE CALLED A PACKAGE DEAL OF BENEFITS.. AS JENNIFER VEALE 
REPORTS FROM  SEOUL, PRESIDENT KIM IS PROMISING THE NORTH  
ECONOMIC AND DIPLOMATIC INCENTIVES, IN RETURN FOR COOPERATION.

TEXT:  ON THE EVE OF HIS FIRST ANNIVERSARY IN OFFICE, PRESIDENT 
KIM SAID  SOUTH KOREA, THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN COULD HELP 
NORTH KOREA BECOME WHAT HE TERMS "A  RESPONSIBLE MEMBER OF THE 
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY." 

PRESIDENT KIM ALSO IS OFFERING TO REPATRIATE 17 LONG-TERM 
POLITICAL PRISONERS TO NORTH KOREA, IN EXCHANGE FOR THE RETURN OF
SOUTH KOREAN PRISONERS OF WAR.

MR. KIM PREDICTS HIS COUNTRY, JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES WOULD 
LIFT ECONOMIC SANCTIONS,  ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC TIES AND PROVIDE 
MORE FOOD TO THE FAMINE STRICKEN  NORTH.  BUT HE SAYS IT MUST 
AGREE TO HALT ITS SUSPECT NUCLEAR PROGRAM AND ITS EFFORTS TO 
DEVELOP LONG RANGE MISSILES. 

NORTH KOREA  HAS ALWAYS LINKED AN EASING OF SANCTIONS BY THE 
UNITED STATES TO ANY REDUCTION IN  ITS MILITARY CAPABILITIES.

PRESIDENT KIM SAYS THE RECIPROCAL ARRANGEMENTS FORM THE KEY 
PLANKS OF A  "PACKAGE DEAL," HE BELIEVES COULD END HOSTILITIES ON
THE KOREAN  PENINSULA.   BUT HE ADDS THAT IF THE NORTH CONTINUES 
TO RESIST MAKING SINCERE  CONCESSIONS, IT WILL FACE GREATER 
OBSTACLES OBTAINING FOOD AID FROM  INTERNATIONAL DONORS IN THE 
FUTURE.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE TO MARK HIS FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE, PRESIDENT 
KIM SAID HIS  PROPOSAL COULD GIVE NORTH KOREA THE INCENTIVE IT  
NEEDS TO BRING IT INTO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

PRESIDENT  KIM'S GOVERNMENT HAS EMBARKED UPON A PROGRAM OF 
ENGAGEMENT WITH THE NORTH,  CALLED THE "SUNSHINE POLICY," WHICH 
HAS SEEN INCREASED CULTURAL AND  BUSINESS EXCHANGES.

ON THE PRISONER RELEASE, TO TAKE PLACE THURSDAY, PRESIDENT KIM IS
INDICATING HIS GOVERNMENT MIGHT ACCEPT NORTH KOREA'S  RECENT 
REQUEST TO RETURN THE 17 FORMER NORTH KOREAN SPIES .  THE 17 HAVE
BEEN IMPRISONED FOR AT LEAST 29 YEARS.  THEY ARE CONSIDERED 
POLITICAL PRISONERS BECAUSE THEY REFUSED PREVIOUS AMNESTIES THAT 
REQUIRED THEM TO RENOUNCE COMMUNISM.  PRESIDENT KIM IS PROPOSING 
THAT IN EXCHANGE FOR THE 17, PYONGYANG RELEASE 300  SOUTH KOREAN 
ARMY VETERANS CAPTURED BETWEEN 1950 AND 1953, DURING THE KOREAN 
WAR. (SIGNED)

NEB/JV/GC/FC

24-Feb-99 3:29 AM EST (0829 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.