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South Korean and U.S. Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and George W. Bush agreed to take a "constructive and sincere" approach to next week's multilateral nuclear talks involving the two Koreas, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan. The U.S. leader also thanked President Roh on earning his parliament's approval to a bill to send additional troops to Iraq.
Seoul's plan to send three thousand more forces to Iraq and next week's six-party nuclear talks were the main focus of a 25-minute phone conversation between South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush.
South Korea's presidential office said the U.S. leader called Thursday night to first thank and congratulate President Roh on winning his Assembly's endorsement of the Iraq troop dispatch bill. Mr. Bush lauded President Roh for his leadership and noted Seoul's military contribution cemented the bilateral alliance and highlighted Korea's growing role in the international community. Mr. Roh said he hoped Korean forces will help restore peace and stability in Iraq, thereby contributing to peace in the Middle East.
On next week's multilateral talks on the nuclear issue, the two leaders agreed to approach the matter in a constructive and sincere manner so as to achieve tangible results for a peaceful end to the current standoff. The dispute erupted in October 2002 when U.S. officials announced North Korea had admitted to running a covert nuclear development program in violation of a 1994 nuclear freeze deal. The first round of six-party talks ended inconclusively in late August last year.
Arirang TV
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