The Washington Post interviews President Lee
In addition to the Washington Post, USA Today, a national newspaper, and the Washington Times showed keen interest in the Korean President's visit to the United States by running his photo with Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. The following are key excerpts from the Washington Post article.
"South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said that he will propose creating a permanent high-level diplomatic channel between North Korea and South Korea, including establishing the first liaison offices in the nations' capitals after nearly six decades of division."
"…This is the first time a South Korean president has officially proposed doing so. 'Both North and South Korea must change their ways,' Lee said in an interview with Washington Post editors and reporters."
"…Lee has linked improvements in the economic relationship between the two countries to progress on eliminating North Korea's nuclear weapons programs, a significant shift from his predecessor's policy."
"…Lee…a former chief executive of the Hyundai Group and mayor of Seoul, has signaled his intent to work more closely with the United States, particularly on the six-nation negotiations to abolish North Korea's nuclear programs. U.S. officials have high hopes for greatly improving the sometimes rocky relationship with South Korea during Lee's tenure."
With regard to North Korea's "belligerent and bellicose" statements, the President said "his administration remains 'calm and collected…'" President Lee also said "he wants to establish a permanent channel so the nations could have a regular dialogue...He said that offices should be headed by officials with direct access to the leaders of each country."
"Lee wants to show that 'he is ready to engage, to talk to the North, even to provide humanitarian aid, but a broader approach to the North, including investment, will have to wait for a solution to the nuclear issue.'"
"Lee…spoke confidently about his views on a range of issues, including the food shortage in North Korea, the U.S. economy and Chinese influence in North Korea…"
"Lee shrugged off concerns that a free trade agreement negotiated between South Korea and the United States is doomed because the Democratic presidential candidates have opposed it…If either Sen. Barack Obama or Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is elected, the new president ‘will look into the facts' and make the right decision, he added."
웹사이트: http://www.president.go.kr
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