By Ryu Jin
Staff Reporter

President Roh Moo-hyun expressed his willingness to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in a summit ``anytime, anywhere,’’ if only it was possible.

``I’m not reluctant to have a summit. I just said I think that it is unlikely,’’ he said in an interview with the KyungHyang Shinmun, a local newspaper, released in its Monday edition. ``If it was possible, I would not care about the timing or venue.’’

Roh once again stressed South Korea’s ``leading role’’ in the six-party nuclear talks aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the North Korean nuclear standoff, calling it a problem which involves ``our vital interests.’’

``If it is so vital to us, we should be able to affect North Korea’s decision as well as the United States’,’’ he said. ``We cannot simply be onlookers.’’

He said the six-party process has so far been going well, but added: ``Now is the time for the North to return to the negotiation table’’ to make a strategic decision.

Commenting on the Seoul-Washington alliance, Roh said the bilateral ties have been gradually moving toward a more equal relationship and South Koreans should not be worried.

President Roh said he hoped his recent choice of JoongAng Ilbo chairman Hong Seok-hyun as South Korea’s new ambassador to the U.S. helps to improve the bilateral relationship not only in the political, military and economic fields, but also in other areas such as culture.

Asked about domestic politics, recently heated by four controversial ``reform bills’’ of the ruling Uri Party’s making, the president answered such issues should be handled by political parties in the National Assembly.

Roh stressed the need for a ``flexible and patient’’ approach in dealing with important state affairs last week, asking ``not to force things’’ on the four reform bills, including one aimed at abolishing the anti-communist National Security Law.

Explaining basic directions for his administration’s policy next year, Roh said he will put most of his efforts into reviving the nation’s economy. He added the government would consider comprehensive measures to help credit card defaulters return to normal economic activities.

On Saturday President Roh and first lady Kwon Yang-suk appeared on a special television program, encouraging underprivileged people to try to overcome hardship and promising more government support.

The presidential couple stayed throughout the entire one-hour live program of ``Love Request,’’ aired by the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) on Christmas Day to collect donations for the needy

``When I watch `Love Request,’ one side of me feels sorry, while the other thinks KBS is doing a good thing,’’ Roh said during the program. ``I’m sorry as president for not yet having done what our government should have.’’

``Love Request,’’ which has aired every Saturday evening for the past seven years, introduces families facing financial difficulties and other troubles to collect donations from viewers through telephone calls. One call automatically charges 1,000 won ($0.95) to the caller’s phone bill and the money is added to the program’s charity fund.

The latest broadcast also showed footage of Roh and Kwon visiting a family in Sillim-dong, southern Seoul, whose single mother was in the terminal stage of gall-bladder cancer. An 18-year-old daughter has been taking care of her mother and younger sister.

During the visit, which took place on Wednesday, Roh promised the family that he will try his best to allocate more subsidies for financially troubled families in next year’s government budget. Kwon also told them not to give up hope.

Roh gave the two sisters a computer and diaries, with a hand-written message that read ``Happiness is not to enjoy, but to be made.’’ Kwon gave them coats and scarves.

``A person can cultivate the ability to overcome hardships and understand others through the process of overcoming his own hardships,’’ Roh said. ``Belief and dreams can contribute a lot to making a person.’’

jinryu@koreatimes.co.kr