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Seoul Urges Washington to Hold Talks with Pyongyang
South Korean President Kim Dae-jung Wednesday urged Washington to conducts talks with Pyongyang, saying it is important for developing Pyongyang-Washington and inter-Korean ties.
Kim made the remarks in a 15-minute phone conversation proposed by U.S. President George W. Bush Wednesday morning, said South Korean Presidential spokesman Park Joon-young.
During the conservation, Bush said his government would wrap up the ongoing review of Clinton administration's policy toward the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as soon as possible in closer consultation with South Korea.
The U.S. president briefed Kim on his government's view on a new missile defense plan, requesting Kim's understanding.
In response, Kim expressed his understanding that Washington is playing a leadership role in forging countermeasures against security threats facing the international community.
He praised the United States for closely consulting with its allies and other concerned countries on the newly-proposed missile defense system.
"Our hope is that the consultations will contribute to international peace and stability," Park quoted Kim as saying.
By phone, Bush also agreed to meet with Kim in Seoul in October this year as a leg of his Asian tour which will take him to Shanghai, China, for attendance to the summit of Asia-Pacific Cooperation Forum, said the South Korean presidential spokesman.
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