Guarantee for a Market Economic System and Continuous Economic Reform

President-elect Roh Moo-hyun said on Dec.20, “I will closely work together with the U.S. and Japan to solve the North Korean nuclear issue peacefully, with Korea taking initiatives.”

The President-elect held his first press conference as a president with reporters from home and abroad at the National Assembly building and said, “Policies both toward the U.S. and the North will not be different from those of the Kim Dae-jung government.” On the premise of that, he reaffirmed his willingness to revise the SOFA governing the legal status of the 37,000 American soldiers stationed here by saying, “I’ll try to convey Koreans’ rising expectation and my own opinion in connection with the pressing issues between Korea and the U.S., including the amendment to the bilateral pact.”

When asked whether to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jung-il to resolve the renewed nuclear threat posed by Pyongyang, “I will made public details of how to deal with the issue, including necessary procedures and the timing, after having in-depth discussion with diplomatic advisors,” he answered.

On the economic polices and reforms of Korean conglomerates dubbed chaebol, he stressed, “I will establish a free and fair market economic system and never give up economic restructuring.”

With respect to political reform, he noted, “As the current law does not allow the President to intervene in political reorganization by mobilizing governmental and intelligence agencies and investigating certain politicians, political reorganization all depends on the will of the politicians. And I do not have any intention and discretion over the issue.”

He continued, “The era of confrontation and division finally came to an end and a new era of national unity will arrive. During this election, I have found the hope of breaking the barriers of regionalism among us and will do my utmost efforts for national unity.”

The President-elect Roh and the outgoing President Kim agreed to have a meeting on 23 and will discuss general administrative issues, including transition process. The president-elect is expected to launch a government transition process with a transition team when the Dec.24 cabinet meet approves the transition plan.

Meanwhile, Thomas Herbert, U.S. ambassador to Korea, visited the President-elect at the MDP headquarters in Yeouido and said, “As far as I know, U.S. President George Bush expects to meet Mr. Roh soon or later. On Dec.21, when I fly to Washington, I’ll report the President and Secretary of State Colin Powel.” His remarks raised the expectation on a summit meeting between Roh and Bush.

George Bush called the president-elect to congratulate his victory 9:30 p.m. that night. He had already offered his message, “The U.S. will have a close cooperation with a new Korean government led by Mr. Roh,” through U.S. presidential spokesman Ari Fleischer.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Chinese President Jiang Zemin have expressed their congratulations on his victory through public messages. According to Japanese media, the Japanese government has already begun rescheduling plans of the Prime Minister’s state visit to Korea, including Koizumi’s participation in Roh’s inauguration ceremony in February.

Yong-Gwan Jung yongari@donga.com