Posted on 05/17/2003 9:16:03 AM PDT by AmericanInTokyo
Title: "North Korea`s Fear of US Military Capability Conducive to Peaceful Resolution"
Dong-A Ilbo Daily Newspaper(Seoul) MAY 16, 2003 21:38 Korean Time
(S. Korean) President Roh Moo-hyun May 16 said that, in the wake of the Iraq war, the North Korean leadership is increasingly concerned over the military capacity of the US, and which he think might be conducive to achieving a peaceful resolution of the US-North Korean nuclear standoff.
The President made the remark in an interview with the US PBS broadcasting network when host of the TV program Jim Lehrer asked him the question of whether the increased fear in the North Korean leadership of the US military capability would be helpful to seeking a peaceful resolution of the issue.
In response to another question whether he is concerned about any possibility of the North`s using nuclear weapons to attack the South, he said, “The North seems to use the issue as a means of extracting a security guarantee and economic aid from the US. However, there is a possibility of exporting nuclear weapons, if it fails to achieve what it expects from the on-going negotiations. Moreover, if it feels a threat to the stability of the regime, it may use them. However, I don`t think the North might use nuclear weapons to carry out a preemptive strike against the South.”
President Roh met with reporters on a chartered airplane heading for San Francisco from Washington. In the meeting, he said the reporters, “Even if the issue might be settled in a peaceful way, South Korea should have a flexible approach to dealing with Pyongyang. We cannot afford to make concessions to whenever the North wants the South to do so”
Furthermore, he was asked by reporters a question over whether there is any possibility that the South Korea`s announcement of taking a flexible approach to the extent or timing of inter-Korean exchanges depending on developments in the North Korean nuclear issue might strain future inter-Korean relationship. He replied that there might be a variety of changes in future developments of negations to seek a peaceful resolution to the issue.
On his arriving, he met with Korean residents in San Francisco. In the meeting, the President said, “Candle light protests staged in Korea should not be interpreted as anti-American sentiments. They should be regarded as one of ways of expressing opinions publicly. However, in expressing themselves, undesirable acts, including setting fire on the Stars and Stripes and making fun of the US president, should be avoided
Later, the President met with some ten prominent business leaders in the western US, including the vice chairman of Hewlett Packard, the vice chairman of Intel, the chief vice president of Microsoft and so on. President Roh asked the US business leaders to invest more in Korea.
The President will fly back to Seoul in the morning of May 17, wrapping up his weeklong visit to the US.
We must disarm completely and unilaterally. That will make Kim Jong more trustworthy. I just know it.
This is not the time to appear weak or waffling, sir.
The President made the remark in an interview with the US PBS broadcasting network when host of the TV program Jim Lehrer asked him the question of whether the increased fear in the North Korean leadership of the US military capability would be helpful to seeking a peaceful resolution of the issue.
If Kim Jong is smart, it will have a peaceful end.
In response to another question whether he is concerned about any possibility of the North`s using nuclear weapons to attack the South, he said, “The North seems to use the issue as a means of extracting a security guarantee and economic aid from the US. However, there is a possibility of exporting nuclear weapons, if it fails to achieve what it expects from the on-going negotiations.
The North seeks to use the issue because it is a regime that feeds on fear. Also, Kim Jong would export weapons regardless of what the United States does; the key here is whether he thinks he will get away with it or not.
President Roh met with reporters on a chartered airplane heading for San Francisco from Washington. In the meeting, he said the reporters, “Even if the issue might be settled in a peaceful way, South Korea should have a flexible approach to dealing with Pyongyang. We cannot afford to make concessions to whenever the North wants the South to do so”
In all fairness, one can understand the South Korean President's responsibility to his people. His job is to do what is good for his citizens. Another Korean War would in all probability devastate the Korean peninsula......so in that respect, his concerns are very understandable. And warranted.
On his arriving, he met with Korean residents in San Francisco. In the meeting, the President said, “Candle light protests staged in Korea should not be interpreted as anti-American sentiments. They should be regarded as one of ways of expressing opinions publicly. However, in expressing themselves, undesirable acts, including setting fire on the Stars and Stripes and making fun of the US president, should be avoided
He sounds pretty reasonable. Maybe politically astute would be a better term.
I think the best thing we could do for South Korea would be to remind the little North Korean tinpot dictator of two things:
1) Attack our allies, and we'll burn you to a crisp.
2) Attack our allies, and we'll burn you to a crisp.
Oh, and 3) China, don't exploit tensions on the Korean peninsula to further your agenda with regards to Taiwan. We're watching that too.
It's Kim Jong who is speaking to his audience. Weak-willed Western liberals with no resolve, those who couldn't bring themselves to condemn a ruthless dictator like Saddam Hussein.
Well, it would appear that United States will build a coalition of the willing to deal with 'Hussein-types', with or without the blessing of the dis-United Nations. I would strongly suggest that Kim Jong weigh this carefully.
The best thing we can do with regards to countries like South Korea, Taiwan, and others is to demonstate the resolve of the United States. Explain in no uncertain terms that we know our strengths, and that we also know that they are greater than the opposing side.
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