“NK Must Withdraw Weapons from Border”

U.S. President George W. Bush stated that "It would be helpful to withdraw the conventional weapons from the border area if the North wants to resume dialogue for improving the North-U.S. relationship."

Mr. Bush held a press conference with reporters from Asian countries before he departed for his visit to Korea, Japan, and China, questioning "Why should the North`s military aim at the U.S. and our allied nations?"

He added, "What I am concerned about is not the North`s weapons of mass destruction but its government who has tremendous military power aimed at Seoul. The peace of the Korean Peninsula won`t be possible under the circumstances where a loaded weapon is aimed at another`s head."

He also said that "We don`t have any conditions in resuming the dialogue but the North has not responded. If the North gives up its WMD and a transparent verification is carried out, we will help the North to join international society, providing any possible privileges in trade and commercial exchanges."

However, he remarked, "I can only assume the worst until the North chooses to become more transparent and stops proliferating WMD. I will continue to establish a broad solidarity for peace."

With regard to the summit with President Kim Dae-Jung, he added "I will deliver my concerns about North Korea`s proliferating WMD [to President Kim Dae-Jung] courteously but clearly. I am also very interested in preventing the North from accumulating funds for the military from the money that is supposed to be used for humanitarian purposes by discussing the measures to alleviate the tensions in the Korean Peninsula."

He also mentioned that "President Kim is seriously thinking about reunifying the Korean Peninsula, but it is questionable whether North Korea has the same idea. I am also hoping for reunification of the Korean Peninsula and that is why I expressed my support for the `Sunshine policy` from the beginning."

President Bush, however, betrayed his view of the North during the press conference, stating that people are starving to death in North Korea, not allowed to express their opinion freely, and are unfairly detained, while emphasizing that "I will stand firmly with the people who support freedom [the South Koreans]."

Ki-Heung Han eligius@donga.com