U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
                                             DPB # 78
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2001  12:45 P.M.
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

Q:  Given that this week, there were rumblings from Pyongyang regarding
their ban on missile testing, it now has come out that they are
considering, I guess - unilaterally taking actions that I guess would
violate the Joint Framework Agreement from 1994, citing their acute
energy needs.
Can you say anything from your podium to reassure the North Koreans
that we are going to talk to them or anything?
MR. BOUCHER:  I don't have anything new to say on Korea today.  We have
a meeting tomorrow with the South Korean Foreign Minister.  As you
know, one of the hallmarks of our policy, even as it has been under
review, has been to emphasize the close coordination with Japan and
South Korea.  The meeting tomorrow will provide us with another
opportunity to discuss the situation on the Peninsula and future
policies with the South Korean - with our South Korean ally.  As you
know, we have always very strongly supported the efforts South Korea is
making as well, in terms of the meetings that Kim Dae-jung has had and
the program that he has put in place.  So we will be discussing both
those things tomorrow.
Q:  The U.S. review - might it end tomorrow?
MR. BOUCHER:  We'll have something to say tomorrow to the South Korean
Foreign Minister.
Q:  I'm sorry.  You'll have something to say about the review?
MR. BOUCHER:  We'll have something to say to him about policy.  Who
knows?
Q:  Does that mean that the days of - you know, the last time there
was a senior South Korean official in town, the president - that would
be not Bush, but the other president, of South Korea
-- you know, there was a bit of a hiccup between here and the White
House on what the policy was.
Can we assume then that the review - as you say, you will have
something to tell the Foreign Minister tomorrow.  Are those - has
everything been smoothed out now?  Can we assume that?
MR. BOUCHER:  We don't see a problem to begin with.  The review that we
have had under way of Korea policy is, let me say, virtually complete
at this point and the interagency groups have been meeting and have
discussed Korea policy and all its aspects.
As I said again, one of the hallmarks of the policy has been close
coordination with South Korea and Japan, as well as support for South
Korea's efforts.  And we will be in a position to discuss all those
issues with the South Korean Foreign  Minister tomorrow.
Q:  Do you have to think on your feet - are you up to date on the fuel
shipments to North Korea, do you know?
MR. BOUCHER:  Up to date on fuel shipments?  It's not one of those
obscure things that's hidden somewhere in the book, is it?
No, I don't know.  I will have to check.
Q:  Just one more on North Korea.  I realize that you are saying at
this point it is virtually complete.  Is it going to stay within the
parameters of the Perry process?  Can you say that?
MR. BOUCHER:  I am not going to say anything more about it today.