The United States

Lee Hoi-chang
- Lee says the emphasis in Korean diplomacy is still the military alliance with the US and this is also the key to solving North Korea issues. He noted people felt anxiety when there were signs of differences between the two countries. His concept of the US is as a friend.

In a news conference Lee said the alliance with the US was used as a basis to build the country's economy and society out of the ashes of war, and even to day was the main safeguard for the country's prosperity.

Lee pledged during his campaign that he would recover the damaged relations with the US caused by this government's misconceived national security policy and unreasonable North Korea policy. He expressed strong concern over rising anti American sentiment over the past couple of years.

While admitting the US sometimes acted out of its own interests, Lee said people should never forget its role on the peninsula. However, with regard to the accidental deaths of two girls in a traffic accident with a US armored vehicle, he called for an apology from President Bush and a revision to the status of forces agreement.

Roh Moo-hyun
- Roh's policy towards the US remains unfixed and has varied; up to the early 1990s he called for the withdrawal of the USFK, and in October 1991 he told the National Assembly that relations with North Korea could not progress because of the US. He acted like a left-wing activist maintaining diplomacy should not rely on Washington.

However, on May 14 in a discussion with a senior journalists' club he admitted that the Bush administration was a diplomatic reality and he would accept the presence of the USFK even after unification. In his campaign pledges, Roh promised to maintain strong ties with the US.

Roh does still use phrases such as "Sovereign Diplomacy," and in a TV discussion said he would never bow down to the US like other politicians, and so would appear to have conflicting views towards Washington.

North Korea

Lee Hoi-chang Lee thinks it is impossible to believe North Korea, as it is a country that will break rules, agreements and laws, something he bases himself on, and does even more so after the West Sea naval clash, and the clandestine nuclear development program.

He believes in reciprocal action and aid should be given only in a manner that shows positive change, and there needs to be inspections to ensure the North is carrying out its promises. Lee does not view the North as a partner in dialogue rather he sees it as an entity that needs to be led to a certain objective through the use of carrots and sticks.

He said he would positively assist in solving North Korea's economic woes, as long as the country showed a responsible attitude and change. Lee noted that no change has been witnessed despite the engagement policy; saying the government sent aid and money for five years and all it reaped was nuclear weapons development.

His plan is to stop cash flow to the North, while maintaining humanitarian aid and also to raise human rights issues.

Roh Moo-hyun
- Roh sees North Korea as a partner for dialogue, but does not trust it implicitly, as he notes the North makes impossible demands. He thinks he can change Pyongyang through dialogue and already sees signs of this. Roh said the sunshine policy had reduced the threat of war on the Korean peninsula, and relations between South and North had gone from transitional towards qualitative development.

On October 23 he said the fact that it was decided to address the nuclear issue in ministerial level talks was positive. Roh is critical of the North's provocative actions leading to the West Sea clash and nuclear development, but questions what led to them. He said not only North Korea, but also the US failed to respect the 1994 Geneva Agreed Framework.

Roh stressed change in North Korea should be induced by South Korea's efforts. On January 23 in a TV debate he called for trust and patience should be the starting point in solving inter Korean issues. In November 2000 he said in a speech that if problems could be solved by appeasement or money then these should be employed.

(Kim Chang-keun, ck-kim@chosun.com )