Kim: NK hopes for dialogue with U.S.

President Kim Dae-Jung said Wednesday that even though North Korea has recently been criticizing the U.S., it sincerely wants to hold Pyongyang-Washington dialogue as soon as possible. Kim added it is desirable to solve all North Korea-related through dialogue.

During a meeting with a delegation of four U.S. senators, including Phil Gramm (R-TX), chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Kim said he hopes the two nations will maintain cooperative systems in relation to North Korean affairs through fine-tuning and consultations.

Senator Gramm said the new U.S. administration is overhauling all of the policies of the previous administration, and the Bush government`s North Korea policy will be decided based on the fact that Seoul is one of Washington`s most important allies.

Yun Seung-Mo ysmo@donga.com