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Any Necessary Aid To Be Given To N.K. If It Abandons Its Nuclear Ambition

Any Necessary Aid To Be Given To N.K. If It Abandons Its Nuclear Ambition

Posted July. 27, 2003 22:13,   

한국어

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun on Sunday urged the North to abandon its nuclear ambition and to opt for a path toward peace and coexistence, saying, "If North Korea takes this path, Korea and the international community will not spare any necessary aid."

During a speech at a ceremony marking the signing of an armistice that ended the Korean War 50 years ago, held at The War Memorial of Korea on Sunday afternoon, Mr. Roh said, "The Korean government, along with related countries, is making efforts multilaterally to resolve North Korea’s nuclear crisis."

Among about 2,700 participants were leaders and veterans from 21 nations of the U.N. force that fought during the nation’s three-year civil war, including New Zealand’s Prime Minister Helen Clark, foreign dignitaries staying in Korea, South Korean Defense Minister Cho Young-kil, U.S. Army General Leon LaPorte, and other military officials.

Earlier President Roh Moo-hyun sent a message to a ceremony that was held in front of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in the U.S. capital to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the armistice ending the Korean War on Sunday morning. In the message, the South Korean president paid tribute to the memory of the war dead, saying, "The freedom and peace that we now enjoy in South Korea is due largely to the dedication and sacrifice of those who fought in the war." The president also paid homage to the role that the United States played in the war, citing "the bravery of Americans" in his message.

Meanwhile, U.S. President George W. Bush visited the Korean War Veterans Memorial on July 25 (local time), two days earlier than the anniversary of the armistice that ended the Korean War to pay tribute to the memory of the war dead.

At a briefing that day, White House spokesman Scott McLellan said, "President Bush paid his respects to Korean War veterans as well as the war dead and visited the Memorial to cherish the memory of all those who sacrificed their lives."



jnghn@donga.com maypole@donga.com