At a Millennium Democratic Party Democratic and Peaceful Unification Committee meeting, Minister Jeong said the South is a mediator in the nuclear tension, and its position is different from the US, the directly concerned party. Jeong added not siding with the North doesn't mean Seoul is necessarily with Washington, and pressuring the North in line with the US is not a wise policy.

Bush Administration officials have been expressing discomfort regarding Seoul’s assuming the mediator's role. Jeong also said not to regret pouring too much money into the North, insisting Pyongyang's increasing dependence on the South would lift inter-Korean tension and contribute to an upgrade of its sovereign rating. (Kim In-ku, ginko@chosun.com )