Kim Dae-jung Urges US-DPRK Dialogue on Nuclear Issue

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, February 19, 2003

Kim Dae-jung Urges US-DPRK Dialogue on Nuclear Issue

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Outgoing South Korean President Kim Dae-jung Tuesday emphasized again the importance of direct dialogue between the United States and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in defusing the nuclear standoff on the Korean Peninsula.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Kim Dae-jung expounded on two principles on the nuclear issue of DPRK -- "The DPRK must not possess any nuclear weapons," and "the nuclear crisis should be settled in a peaceful way through dialogue," according to a press release issued by the President Office.

While the United States wants multilateral talks and the DPRK insists on bilateral ones, there still exist chances to break the nuclear standoff, he said. "We can alternate (between two types ofways), and we can hold multilateral talks, but the important thingis US-DPRK talks."

Kim Dae-jung also stressed that the nuclear standoff is the issue that most concerns South Korea at present. It not only threatens the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula but also affects his country's economy, he said.

Last week, credit rating firm Moody's Investors Service slashed South Korea's sovereign rating outlook from "positive" to "negative" due to the nuclear issue. The result aroused serious concerns in the country over a possible reduction of foreign investment.

As one of the signatories to the South-North Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in 1992, South Korea definitely has the right to help find a solution to the issue, added Kim.

Kim also stressed the importance of the US troop presence on the Korea Peninsula.

Kim Dae-jung steps down as president on Feb. 25.

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