Seoul Rules Out Secret Deals for Inter-Korean Summit

The presidential office has ruled out secret deals or cooperation with North Korea in pushing for an inter-Korean summit.

Senior presidential secretary for public relations Lee Dong-kwan told a news briefing Saturday in Bangkok, “There will be no backroom dealings or agreements in holding an inter-Korean summit.” The secretary was accompanying President Lee Myung-bak’s official visit to Thailand.

“Sincerity for the people must be guaranteed (in the inter-Korean summit), and the summit should help address North Korea’s nuclear issue. I stress once again that the principle has never wavered since President Lee’s inauguration.”

The secretary added, “As for the inter-Korean summit, we are firm in that we will neither meet the North without principles nor meet it for meeting’s sake. We will not negotiate with the North under political and tactical calculation.”

“We don’t have a fantasy (for inter-Korean talks). If necessary, we will make them transparent.”

yongari@donga.com