U.S. Will Renew Dialogue With North Korea in Future

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2001 - The United States will renew
its dialogue with North Korea sometime in the future,
President Bush said following a meeting with South Korean
President Kim Dae-Jung.

Bush and Kim met at the White House March 7. Bush told
reporters that he was worried about North Korea keeping the
terms of agreements it has made.

"I am concerned about the fact that the North Koreans are
shipping weapons around the world," Bush said. The Clinton
administration had been close to signing an accord with
North Korea about the communist country limiting its
missile research and sales of such technology.

"Part of the problem in dealing with North Korea: There's
not very much transparency," Bush said. "We're not certain
as to whether or not they're keeping all terms of all
agreements."

Bush and Kim described their meeting as forthright.
"President Bush has clearly expressed his strong support
for our efforts to further the dialogue with North Korea,"
said Kim, the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize recipient for his
efforts to bring the two Koreas together. "I have assured
him that as we try to advance the dialogue with North
Korea, we will consult with the United States every step of
the way."

Bush said the United States and South Korea would maintain
a "constant dialogue" about issues affecting Northeast
Asia. "Our foreign policy will respond in a way that will
reinforce the efforts of (President Kim), but at the same
time ... make it clear to all parties concerned that any
agreement must make the (Korean) peninsula more peaceful."

About 37,000 U.S. service members serve in South Korea. The
Americans are part of the U.N. Command. The command has
been in the country since North Korea invaded the south in
1950.

Last year, Kim met North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il. The
meeting has led to new initiatives between their countries,
including building a rail link.