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The government appears intent on making attempts independent of Washington to bring North Korea back to stalled six-nation talks on its nuclear program. Some critics fear that any move from Seoul that would go against a U.S. strategy to box in the North from all sides could strain relations between the two allies.
President Roh Moo-hyun was quoted as saying Seoul will exercise greater leadership in breaking the deadlock in the six-party talks. Roh was said to have made the remarks in a meeting with senior officials in security departments before embarking on his current overseas trip. ¡°The idea is that since the six-party talks play a very important role in determining the fate of the Korean Peninsula, we can¡¯t just leave such critical decisions in the hands of the U.S.,¡± a high-ranking government official said Thursday.
Meanwhile, a senior Cheong Wa Dae official accompanying the president offered a further gloss on Roh¡¯s remarks Wednesday that he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-il ¡°anytime and anywhere¡± and ¡°make many concessions.¡± The official said the remarks ¡°are a manifestation of the president¡¯s intention to suggest solutions as president of South Korea, a concerned party that takes the heaviest responsibility in resolving matters on the peninsula.¡± The Foreign Ministry's special envoy on international security, Moon Chung-in, told a seminar here the comments, which came in a meeting with Korean residents in Mongolia, ¡°show that Roh is losing patience with U.S. President George W. Bush.¡±
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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