Sticks and Carrots
Approach

End to Korean War, security arrangement, economic aid offered to N. Korea for giving up nuke arms

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and U.S. President George W. Bush held a summit meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit on Nov.18 in Hanoi during which they touched on considering declaring an end to the Korean war if North Korea gives up its nuclear weapons, along with economic and other incentives.
"We want the North Korean leadership to hear that we are willing to enter into security arrangements with North Korea as well move forward on economic incentives to the North Korean people,"President Bush said at a joint press briefing with President Roh on the results of their summit meeting.
White House Spokesman Tony Snow told reporters at the briefing that a large number of positive things could happen if North Korea gives up its nuclear weapons.
"There are a whole range of steps that we are willing to take that I think the people of South Korea are going to find reassuring,"he said, "having a ceremony, declare an end to the Korean war,
moving forward on matters that are going to make it possible to address concerns about what should happen in North Korea."During their meeting lasted for about an hour Saturday, Roh and Bush came to an understanding about South Korea's position on a U.S.-led program designed to intercept ships carrying weapons of mass destruction.
Although South Korea decided not to fully participate in the weapons interdiction program, called the PSI, because it fears it could lead to an armed conflict with North Korea, Roh said in the press briefing, "We support the goal and principles of the PSI."He added , "We will continue to make case-by-case consultations to prevent proliferation in Northeast Asia."White House Spokesman Tony Snow said, "President Roh made clear that, believe it or not, some of his positions have been misrepresented."Bush said he appreciated South Korea's cooperation on the program, even though the United States asked South Korea to fully join the initiative at the bilateral meeting. Song Min-soon, chief Presidential security and unification advisor at Cheong Wa Dae, said Seoul's position has never changed with regard to the initiative. Song said news media reported Seoul's position incorrectly when it said that Seoul won't join the initiative. He said South Korea supported the program all along. Bush and Roh also talked about preparing for the six-party talks, set to begin next month in Beijing.
Snow stressed that the South Korean president was "unequivocal"about Seoul's "full commitment"to the UN Resolution adopted following North Korea's Oct. 9 nuclear test, which Snow defined as a very "forward leaning statement."The resolution condemns North Korea's nuclear test and its related programs, and calls for sanctions against the communist country.
U.S. National Security Advisor Steven Hadley said Washington understands South Korea is in a "very unique situation."Song called the Saturday's summit meeting "more advanced"than the two leaders last face-to-face meeting in Washington in September,
adding it was a chance for South Korea to explain its position that it is providing a strong level of sanctions against North Korea. Song said the two leaders did not discuss the financial sanctions that Washington is imposing on North Korea.
The White House spokesman told reporters that Roh made it "absolutely clear"that he considers a non-nuclear Korean Peninsula as a matter of "utmost importance."He continued that "There has sometimes, been an indication that he was being passive in the face of this. And he wanted make it clear that that is not the case."Asked if Washington is changing its hard-line course toward Pyeongyang, a South Korean government official, who refused to be named, said, "The U.S. position cannot change to be soft-line, but it is showing a stronger will to negotiate." nw

Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and George W. Bush at their summit Nov. 18 on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam.

(from left) North Korean Leader Kim Jong-il during his visit to a military unit in North Korea. At the Beijing six-party talks in September last year, U.S. representative Christopher Hill shakes hands with his North Korean counterpart Kim Gye-kwan. In the middle is South Korean representative Song Min-soon.