Ambassador: Forging Can’t Be Tolerated

South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Lee Tai-sik commented on North Korea’s alleged counterfeiting of U.S. currency yesterday, saying, “North Korea’s illicit activities can’t be tolerated. North Korea should make it clear that it is not in the business of forging U.S. dollars.”

He shared his views on the controversial allegations in an address at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington at a meeting hosted by Korea Economic Institute (KEI). It was the first time that he expressed his opinion on the issue since taking office on October 13 last year. The meeting drew as many as 150 experts on the Korean peninsula.

He clarified, “The stance of the South Korean government is firm on this issue, and it delivered its will to the North Korea government clearly. One should not link the North Korean nuclear issue to the allegations in which the Banko Delta Asia (BDA) is involved.”

Lee’s statement represents a departure from the official stance the South Korean government had taken on the issue, and seems to have embraced the opinion of the U.S. government to a large degree.

As for the North Korean nuclear issue, he stressed “North Korea showed its commitment to abandoning its nuclear programs clearly in the joint statement released in Beijing on September 19. It is required to take measures to dismantle its nuclear programs as agreed in the joint statement.”

Lee highlighted the need to place top priority on the resolution of nuclear issues, saying, “North Korea’s illegal activities are nothing new. And I believe that the international community can deal with the issue by taking appropriate measures. But the nuclear issues can’t wait any longer. We don’t have the luxury to drag our feet on this issue.”

As for the ROK-U.S. alliance, he contended, “The alliance has stabilized after some period of instability and adjustment. If the alliance had been in trouble, there would have been neither Korean troops in Iraq nor donations for victims of Hurricane Katrina amounting to $30 million. The strategic dialogue between the two countries wouldn’t have started, either.”

Soon-Taek Kwon maypole@donga.com