Roh Moo-hyun Underscores S.Korea-US Ties

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, May 19, 2003

Roh Moo-hyun Underscores S.Korea-US Ties

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun Sunday underscored again the importance of South Korea-US alliance, saying his country's relations with the United States should be as smooth as possible, according to national news agency Yonhap News.

Roh Moo-hyun made this remarks in a special lecture at Choonam National University in Gwangju after attending a ceremony to mark the 23rd anniversary of the May 18, 1980 uprising against then President Park Jung-hee's dictatorship on Sunday, one day after hereturned from his first US trip.

The South Korean president also defended his actions in the United States by pointing out that "though South Korea may have some grievances with the US, now it is the time to strengthen the half-century old alliance," reported Yonhap

During his US visit, the first one after he took office this February, Roh held summit talks with his US counterpart George W. Bush and released a joint statement with the latter.

"I was in the United States to tackle the relocation of US forces in Korea and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) nuclear issue, so it was appropriate for me to make 'positive' remarks," said the president, referring to local critics on his pro-US speech made during his visit.

Roh also said he re-established a good understanding with Washington as well as with Bush himself.

According to South Korean media, Roh Moo-hyun, who once called on independent relations with Washington, made a series of pro-American remarks during his seven-day working trip there. He told US Congressional leaders in Washington that South Korea is the country where US political ideals, systems have proven most successful.

When Roh attended the commemorating ceremony in Gwangju, some 300 kilometers south to Seoul, about 1,000 members of the Korea Federation of University Students Councils posted a demonstration outside the meeting place, denouncing the president's recent trip to the United States.

Questions?Comments? Click here

S. Korean President Reaffirms Peaceful Solution to DPRK Nuclear Issue

Roh Gets Assurances on Major Issues from Bush

Roh Moo-hyun Shoulders 3 Main Tasks in US Visit

Chinese Crack Down on Public Spitting ( 2 Messages)

United States Afraid of its Own Shadow: Mahathir ( 8 Messages)

Int'l Community Aids China's SARS-control ( 6 Messages)

BBC Leader Criticizes US Coverage of War against Iraq ( 17 Messages)

US Interference in China's Internal Affairs Doomed to Failure: FM Spokeswoman ( 7 Messages)