Lawmakers write to Bush on NK policy

A group of 36 lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties sent an open letter to United States President George W. Bush, as well as the U.S. House speaker and Senate president, calling on Washington to follow a consistent North Korea policy, Rep. Chang Young-Dal of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party said Monday. In the letter, the Assembly members urged the U.S. government to admit its partial responsibility for Korea`s division and open dialogue with North Korea at an early date. They also argued that the Bush administration should work out its North Korea policy in consideration of the Seoul government`s stance and existing inter-Korean policies.

The lawmakers contended that the U.S. government`s hardline stance on Pyongyang and its reported desire to cancel the 1994 Agreed Framework would provide an excuse for the North to push ahead with its nuclear and missile development programs. They said this would only escalate South-North tensions, potentially spark a worldwide arms race and run counter to the interests of both Korea and the U.S.

Yoon Jong-Koo jkmas@donga.com