Reviewing All Countermeasures against the Nations of Axis of Evil

With regard to the question about the possible military attack on North Korea, Iran, and Iraq, which were designated as `axis of evil` by the U.S., George Bush delivered his position to Japan`s Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro that he is "reviewing all possible countermeasures on the table."

President Bush stated such position at the summit with Koizumi in the official residence of the Japan`s Foreign Ministry in Tokyo and declared that the purpose of his visit to Korea is to review and discuss the problem.

Responding to the remark of Bush, Koizumi said, "I felt that President Bush has a very cool and prudent attitude toward North Korea, Iran, and Iraq. I will continue to support the effort of the U.S. to eliminate terror."

The two leaders agreed on the necessity for the close cooperation among Korea, Japan, and the U.S. for the North Korean policy.

President Bush expressed his strong support for the structural reformation by Koizumi, saying "I trust in his leadership, efforts, and strategy. I am here to support him not to advise him." He also emphasized the necessity of the early recovery of Japan`s economy, saying "the strength of Japan`s economy is crucial for the world."

Koizumi responded that he would strongly enforce the measures to break through the deflation including the acceleration of insolvent bonds and the deregulation of financial business.

Regarding that the two leaders decided not to release the details of the conversation, NHK reported that they might have discussed the cooperative measures of Japan when the U.S. attacks Iraq.

Meanwhile, U.S. National Security advisor Condoliza Rice pointed out, at an interview with ABC, the fact that "the North has been connected with terror for a long time and committed a Yanggon terror to assassinate the Korean Ministers." anticipating that the U.S. could bring up the issue of the North Korean connection to terror at the meeting in Seoul on Feb. 20.

Mr. Rice added that the reason why the North was categorized in the axis of evil is not because of its connection to terror but because the North is a totalitarian country that has developed the weapons of mass destruction. He also criticized the North at his interview with CBS, "the North Korean government is a regime oppressing the people and spreading its missile technology to the world."

ksshim@donga.com