Press Releases

U.S. Ambassador Statement on KIJA Meeting

January 13, 2006
06-02

Yesterday, January 12, I was looking forward to meeting with members of the Korean Internet Journalists Association (KIJA) in Youngdeungpo. I regret, however, that circumstances created by a group of unrelated protesters prevented me from having a dialogue with these dedicated members of the Korean media corps.

While we respect the right to disagree with and criticize U.S. Government policy, I believe that we can only resolve our disagreements through peaceful dialogue. In that spirit, I wish to take issue with the Korean Confederation of Trade Union’s assertion that I oppose the reunification of the Korean peninsula (this was the protesters’ excuse for blocking the dialogue with KIJA).

On many occasions, including at the Korean Human Development Institute Forum yesterday morning, I have stated that the U.S. Government “strongly supports South Korean efforts to improve the lives of the North Korean people and we strongly support, as we always have, the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula on terms that are acceptable to South Korea. The division of the Korean Peninsula is one of the great tragedies of our time. And one of the most heart-rending aspects of that tragedy is that the North Korean people have been unable to join the South Korean people in their successful march to prosperity and democracy.”

Regardless of yesterday’s circumstances, I appreciate KIJA’s invitation and hope to be able to visit in the future with the association’s members.