No More Unconditional Aid to Pyongyang
By Kim Yon-se
Korea Times Correspondent
NEW YORK ― President Lee Myung-bak reiterated South Korea's position to stop his predecessors' policy of economically engaging North Korea.
``There will be no more unconditional economic assistance to the North,'' Lee said in his meeting with a group of Korean-Americans here. Lee is scheduled to hold a summit with U.S. President George W. Bush at the Camp David this weekend.
Lee stressed that he does not regard the North's recent provocative statements as military threats, saying ``Their threats are merely military rhetoric.''
But Lee said if Pyongyang changes its mindset to improve inter-Korean relations, he is willing to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-il anytime.
If North Korea gives up its nuclear program, the South will help the country stand on its own feet economically, he added.
Experts on North Korea policy said that Seoul would spare both words and actions in dealing with North Korea.
But they also said reticence amid hostility could only escalate tension by unnecessarily causing a sense of neglect, particularly when the silent party started the verbal tit-for-tat.
``It is quite certain that North Korean nuclear programs are serious. But that should be no reason for Seoul to aggravate conflict and tension,'' a Unification Ministry official said.
Lee also told the Korean-Americans that the South Korean economy will be able to grow by about 6 percent this year despite a U.S. economic slump if his new government successfully carries out a reform drive to eradicate regressive economic and social practices.
Lee said South Korea will surely grow into the world's seventh largest economy in 10 years if it undergoes structural economic reform over the next five years.
``Since I took office, many foreign companies have expressed increased interest in investing in Korea,'' the President said. ``If backwards elements in our society are removed, we will be able to attain our economic growth goal for this year, regardless of the possible near-zero growth of the U.S. economy.''
Lee arrived here Tuesday for a five-day visit to the United States. One of the purposes of his trip is to attract more American investors.
Following his U.S. trip, Lee is to visit Japan April 20-21.