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Bush, Roh Agree on Nuclear-Free Korean Peninsula, Though Policy Differences Linger
U.S. President George W. Bush and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun agreed today that a nuclear-armed North Korea “will not be tolerated,” Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, Nov. 16). “I must say that we do not have any differing opinions on this,” Roh said at a press conference. Bush added that Washington would not support Pyongyang’s demand for a light-water reactor for electricity generation until North Korea disarms. “Our position is that we will consider the light-water reactor at the appropriate time. The appropriate time is after they have verifiably given up their nuclear weapons and/or programs,” Bush said (Agence France-Presse, Nov. 17). Bush and Roh also expressed support for talks on a peace treaty to formally end the Korean War, Reuters reported (Bohan/Kim, Reuters, Nov. 17). The meeting between Bush and Roh reflected differences over their respective policies on North Korea, the Los Angeles Times reported. Some experts said South Korea has edged toward the Chinese and Russian line that a softer approach is needed with Pyongyang. Bush and Roh “are going out of their way to emphasize their common approach, when they really have totally different ideas about the North Korean problem,” said Peter Beck, Northeast Asia Project director at the International Crisis Group. “The South Koreans … are forging ahead with all kinds of economic assistance,” Beck said. “South Korea has essentially set no condition. At the same time, Washington is taking an all-or-nothing approach.” The White House is frustrated by the apparent impasse that has developed in the negotiation process since North Korea agreed in September to eliminate its nuclear weapons program in return for aid. The fear is that Pyongyang is trying to further divide the other five negotiating nations, according to the Times. Washington is considerate of Seoul’s hopes that forging closer ties to Pyongyang can bring about peace and stability on the peninsula, said Mike Green, a senior White House adviser on Asia. Seoul’s “tone is different sometimes because, of course, for (them) the demilitarized zone is right at their doorstep,” he said. “Seoul is as close to the DMZ and North Korean artillery as the White House is to Dulles airport” (Wallsten/Marshall, Los Angeles Times, Nov. 17). Meanwhile, President Hu Jintao today reiterated China’s commitment to a diplomatic resolution of the standoff, the Associated Press reported. “We firmly support whatever is conducive to safeguarding peace and stability on the peninsula,” he said. “As proven by facts, the peaceful resolution to the peninsula’s nuclear issue through dialogue is the most realistic and reasonable method” (Alexa Oleson, Associated Press/International Herald Tribune, Nov. 17).
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