President Roh Emphasis Need of Playing Mediating Role in Nuclear Standoff

President Roh Moo-hyun said Monday, “The key to address the North Korean nuclear issue is to persuade the North to abandon its nuclear ambition and to provide security guarantee for the North Korean government. Therefore, neighboring counties should serve as a mediator between the US and the North in solving the issue peacefully.”

President Roh made the remark in a briefing session where Foreign Minister Yoon Young-kwan reported the ministry`s policy plan for this year to him. During the briefing session, the President said, “The three way talks held in Beijing has a significance in itself. The most important thing is to find ways to address the issue. Therefore, we should not put excessive emphasis on which format we should take to address the issue.”

"We will consult with the United States so that President Roh could issue a summit declaration when he visits the United States next month and also we will prepare for delivering our government`s position on the issues including restoration efforts in the postwar in Iraq," Yoon was quoted as saying during a report to the president.

Seoul`s diplomatic activities for this year will focus on peacefully resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and, for that goal, the Foreign Ministry would consider holding a meeting with its North Korean counterpart, Minister Yoon Young-kwan said Monday.

He also reported the president on important ministry plans that included creating a favorable geopolitical environment to establish a peace system on the Korean Peninsular such as a peace treaty between the two Koreas by maintaining close consultations with neighboring countries. He also said that the ministry would closely consult with the US to direct the realignment of the South Korea-US military alliance to a way where defense capability of the US and South Korea will be reinforced. In addition, the ministry would make vigorous efforts that a change in the Korea-US relations will not have a negative impact on the Korean economy.

The President directed the ministry officials to report on whether there are any difficulties in maintaining friendly relationships with countries in the Arab world in the wake of Korea`s decision on dispatching soldiers to Iraq.

Ki-Heung Han Jeong-Hun Kim eligius@donga.com jnghn@donga.com