Presidential Visit

07 March 2001

Text: Joint U.S.-South Korea Statement on March 7 Bush-Kim Meeting

(Both countries reaffirm importance of security alliance) (480)

Following is the White House text on the March 7 meeting between President George W. Bush and President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic ofKorea:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

March 7, 2001

JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE REPUBLIC
OF KOREA

March 7, 2001

President George W. Bush and President Kim Dae-jung of the Republic of
Korea today reaffirmed the fundamental importance and strength of the
U.S.-ROK security alliance, which has prevented war and promoted
stability, prosperity, and democracy on the Korean Peninsula for over
five decades. The two Presidents pledged to deepen further the
comprehensive partnership shared by the United States and the Republic
of Korea through enhanced security, political, economic and cultural
cooperation.

The two Presidents agreed that reconciliation and cooperation between
South and North Korea contribute to peace on the Korean Peninsula and
lasting stability in Northeast Asia. President Bush expressed support
for the Republic of Korea Government's policy of engagement with North
Korea and President Kim's leading role in resolving inter-Korean
issues. The two leaders shared the hope that a second inter-Korean
summit will make a positive contribution to inter-Korean relations and
Northeast Asian security.

Both Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to continue the 1994
Agreed Framework and called on North Korea to join in taking the
needed steps for its successful implementation. They agreed to
encourage North Korea to take actions to address the concerns of the
international community. The Presidents agreed on the importance of
maintaining close consultations and coordination on policy toward
North Korea, both bilaterally and trilaterally with Japan.

President Bush and President Kim agreed that the global security
environment is fundamentally different than during the Cold War. New
types of threats, including from weapons of mass destruction and
missiles as a means of delivery, have emerged that require new
approaches to deterrence and defense. The two leaders shared the view
that countering these threats requires a broad strategy involving a
variety of measures, including active non-proliferation diplomacy,
defensive systems, and other pertinent measures. They concurred on the
importance of consultations among allies and other interested parties
on these measures, including missile defenses, with a view to
strengthening global peace and security.

President Bush and President Kim noted that the United States and the
Republic of Korea are developing more mature and mutually beneficial
bilateral economic and trade relations. Both sides agreed to work
together closely to support Korea's economic reform efforts and to
address bilateral trade issues. The two leaders endorsed the early
launch of a new round of trade negotiations in the WTO.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)