“Bush Didn`t Change His Understanding of Chairperson Kim Jong-Il”

U.S. President Bush stated, "I strongly support the Sunshine policy of the Korean government." however, "I am seriously concerning about that the North Korean regime is not transparent and let the people starving and still making weapons of mass destruction."

Mr. Bush also said at the joint press conference after summit talk with President Kim Dae-Jung, "it is very disappointing that the North has not accept the Sunshine policy."

He clarified that "I won`t change my opinion until North`s chairperson Kim Jong-Il admits the U.S.`s request for dialogue and proves that he has a concerning mind for the North Koreans and he will not threat our peace."

The two leaders re-confirmed the Korea-U.S. allied relationship at the summit and agreed to solve the North`s WMD and the conventional weapons through dialogues and urged the North to come to the table.

President Bush emphasized that "the U.S. is ready to talk with the North directly and hopes to resume the dialogue immediately but North Korea has not responded to our suggestion."

He also remarked that "the U.S. has no intention of invading and South Korea has not intention of attacking either. We are just defending ourselves since there is a threat to us across the DMZ and what we want is peace in the Korean Peninsula."

Particularly, Mr. Bush revealed that "what we are concerning is a despotic regime not the North Korean people. Regardless to the success of dialogue, we will continue food aid to help the North Koreans."

At a speech after President Kim Dae-Jung in the Dorasan Station, President Bush wished for unification, saying "I wish that the reconciliation between the two Koreas and the security of the Korean Peninsula would be accomplished. The Korean Peninsula that I am seeing is not the one divided by the iron fence and fear but the one unified Korean Peninsula."

He also emphasized that "we cannot allow that the most dangerous regimes in the world threat us with the most dangerous weapons. No country must not be a prison to its people."

President Bush visited a U.S. military camp before he arrive at the Dorasan Station and said, "it is no doubt that the North is `evil`."

ysmo@donga.com