Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, December 23, 2002
Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun Meet on State Affairs
President Kim Dae-jung and his successor Roh Moo-hyun Monday agreed to make efforts to peacefully resolve the issue of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear activities.
President Kim Dae-jung and his successor Roh Moo-hyun Monday agreed to make efforts to peacefully resolve the issue of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear activities.
The agreement came at their first meeting over luncheon at Cheong Wa Dae, the President Office, since Roh was elected as the 16th South Korean president last Thursday.
"During a 90-minute meeting, the two agreed to meet frequently to wrap up the incumbent president's management of state affairs and ensure a smooth transition of government," Roh's spokesman LeeNak-yeon was quoted by national news agency Yonhap News as reporting.
They exchanged views on the international situation in connection with the DPRK's nuclear issue as well as the nation's relations with the United States, Japan, China, Russia and the European Union, Lee added.
Kim Dae-jung expressed hope that Roh would become a successful president, Lee noted, adding that the two agreed to meet at the end of the year.
After the one-on-one talks, Roh was briefed by presidential special advisor for foreign affairs, national security and unification Lim Dong-won and senior presidential secretary for foreign affairs and national security Yim Sung-joon on the latest developments in the DPRK's nuclear activities and Seoul's relations with Pyongyang and Washington.
Kim Dae-jung will give the presidential rights to the president-elect in February 2003.