Kim Dae-jung Says US More Responsible for Current Nuke Stalemate


Former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung urged the United States on Monday to show ``more flexibility’’ to offer North Korea ``concrete benefits’’ in return for the dismantlement of all nuclear weapons programs.

In an address to the Asia Foundation in San Francisco, Kim suggested that North Korea commit itself to a verifiable denuclearization and that the U.S., at the same time, give security assurances and ease the economic sanctions imposed on the impoverished North.

``The other nations in the six-party talks can take a firm stance only when the North, despite the rewards offered, refuses to abandon its nuclear ambition,’’ said the elderly statesman, who made the first visit to the U.S. since retiring in early 2003.

An ardent advocate of his trademark ``sunshine policy’’ of engaging the reclusive North, Kim’s remarks came as a clear opposition to the voices of some American hardliners allegedly seeking measures to apply more pressure on North Korea, which is boycotting talks.

Some news reports said officials in Washington are debating a plan to seek a U.N. resolution empowering all nations to intercept shipments in or out of the North that may contain nuclear materials or components, a move tantamount to a ``quarantine’’ of the already isolated state.

South Korea _ along with China and Russia _ has been very reluctant to options that might annoy North Korea so far, but it is moving toward tougher lines after the nuclear-bent North suspended a key reactor earlier this month to ``bolster its nuclear arsenal.’’

Christopher Hill, the top U.S. negotiator, is visiting Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo this week in what many call last-minute efforts to bring the North back to the table. But officials say it is still unclear whether their diplomatic efforts would be fruitful.

While making a clear objection to any punitive measures, such as referring the case to the U.N. Security Council, which North Korea has threatened to accept as a ``declaration of war,’’ Kim argued that it is the U.S. that is more responsible for the current stalemate.

``While the first-term Bush administration was wasting the past four years without active negotiations, North Korea walked out of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), expelled international nuclear inspectors and has been developing nuclear weapons,’’ he said.

``The key might be very simple,’’ he added. ``I believe this problem can surely be resolved if the U.S. ensures the rewards to the North in return for dismantlement.’’

Kim also urged North Korea to return to negotiation table immediately. ``It should have its say within the context of the six-party talks, where a give-and-take principle would be the basic formula for future negotiations.’’

In the meantime, the ex-president has reportedly revealed his frustration with North Korea in a private meeting with government officials before departing Seoul for his weeklong visit to the U.S.

``I myself cannot understand why North Korea acts like this,’’ he was quoted as telling Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-moon, who made a courtesy call before the trip. An official interpreted the remarks as Kim’s sad feelings about the North’s obstinacy.

In his lifelong struggle to bring democracy to South Korea, Kim Dae-jung endured years of political persecution, imprisonment, house arrest, and exile, as well as kidnapping and assassination attempts. He was finally elected president in 1997 and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

While staying in the U.S. until April 30, Kim will also give lectures at the University of San Francisco and Stanford University, and meet other dignitaries there, according to Kim’s aides.


jinryu@koreatimes.co.kr