Bush and Hu Jintao Discuss Ways to Pressure the North to Renounce Its Nuclear Program

The New York Times reported that Chinese President Hu Jintao and his U.S counterpart, George W. Bush, discussed ways to pressure North Korea to make a strategic decision to rid its nuclear program at a summit meeting held in New York, U.S., on September 13.

However, US President`s Special Assistant Michael Green said in a significantly toned-down manner at the news conference following the meeting, “Both leaders reaffirmed the Nuclear-free Korean Peninsula principle, which Bush and former Chinese President Jiang Zemin agreed to two and a half years ago. Also, they agreed to cooperate to achieve the goal.”

Green added, “President Hu explained to President Bush the actions China has taken to persuade the North to renounce its nuclear program.”

Hu said ahead of the meeting that China is ready to accelerate efforts to exchange information and collaborate with the U.S. to make progress in the negotiation with the North to bring about a halt to its nuclear program.

Soon-Taek Kwon maypole@donga.com