Roh, Bush to Discuss North’s Missiles

President Roh Moo-hyun and U.S. President George W. Bush are expected to have a summit on Wednesday (Thursday, KST) and reaffirm the principle that the two sides will observe the U.N. Security Council’s resolution against Pyongyang, adopted after its missile launches.

The resolution demands all the members of the United Nations to discourage North Korea’s imports or exports of missiles and missile related materials and transactions of financial assets on such deals, in accordance of international law or domestic legislations.

In this regard, the U.S. is anticipated to ban investment, remittance and travel to the North, and prohibit North Koreans’ investment in the U.S. in a near future. In addition, the U.S. may strengthen the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) like thorough searches on North Korea’s ships.

However, the two leaders will not deliberate in detail on sanctions against the North. In addition, discussions over Seoul’s retrieval of wartime operational control is not likely to take place as the agenda will be dealt at the ROK-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) slated for October. Korea will confirm U.S.’s position to remain its U.S. Forces in Korea and dispatches of reinforcements in the event of war.

jyw11@donga.com