Multi-Lateral Approach to Pressure North Korea

U.S. President George W. Bush said that the U.S. is attempting a multi-lateral approach towards North Korea concerning the North’s export of nuclear weapons as well as their direct use by the communist state.

He spoke at a prime time news conference in Washington, saying, “I will try to enhance the multi-lateral approach with other nations including China and persuade North Korean leader Kim Jong Il that a nuclear weapons development program will not benefit him.”

President Bush emphasized that the North Korean nuclear problem is a regional matter and directly related to the interests of all neighboring countries including China, South Korea, Japan, Russia and the U.S.

A Korean government official said, “President Bush’s remarks reaffirmed the existing stance that the U.S would settle the North Korean issue in a peaceful and diplomatic manner.”

maypole@donga.com spear@donga.com