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US President George W. Bush has conveyed his personal apology for the deaths of two Korean girls run over by an American armored vehicle six months ago. President Bush called President Kim Dae-jung on Friday night expressing his "deep sadness and regret" over the incident, which was accepted by the Korean leader. "I appreciate your expression of condolence and apology for the schoolgirls' deaths. I think the Korean people will now understand your true intentions and will evaluate the US government's efforts," Kim said.
During the 10-minute phone conversation President Bush also said he had instructed his military officials to take steps and to cooperate with South Korean authorities to make sure such a tragedy never happens again. The apology comes amid mounting anti-U.S. sentiment in the country, after two American soldiers were acquitted last month in US military court martial over the deaths.
Despite official apologies by the U.S. Ambassador to Korea and the Deputy Secretary of State, protesters have been demanding the U.S. leader apologize directly. There have also been growing public pressure for a revision of the Status of Forces Agreement to give Seoul more jurisdictional power over the 37,000 US soldiers stationed in Korea.
Also during the talk, Bush reiterated Washington had no intention of invading North Korea, agreeing with President Kim that Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions must be resolved through peaceful means.
(Arirang TV)
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