Lee, Obama to Discuss NK Nuke Issue June 16
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak will meet U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington on June 16 to discuss North Korea's nuclear program and other pending issues, the nation's top diplomat said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung-hwan also said that the government will soon schedule a summit between President Lee and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso.
``During the summit, Presidents Lee and Obama are expected to specify future directions of the alliance between Korea and the United States based on the results from the April 2 summit in London,'' Yu told reporters.
He continued, ``They will also discuss ways to resolve North Korea's nuclear issue, cooperate in low carbon, `green growth' and ratifying the free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.''
The trade deal was signed last year but is still awaiting parliamentary ratification in both countries.
Regarding the nuclear issue, Yu stressed that the two allies have already agreed to make continuous efforts to bring the communist state back to six-party talks aimed at disabling its nuclear program.
He said, however, that it has not yet been determined whether U.S. special envoy Stephen Bosworth will visit North Korea or if talks between Pyongyang and Washington should be scheduled.
North Korea declared it would boycott the six-party talks and threatened to resume nuclear testing last month in retaliation for the U.N. condemnation of its April 5 rocket launch.
As part of efforts to break through the deadlock over inter-Korean relations and dismantle the nuclear program, Seoul has reaffirmed it would support two-way talks.
Asked about reports that Lee may have a summit with the Japanese prime minister June 28, the minister did not elaborate but did say that the two governments are looking for an appropriate date.
The top diplomat also announced a forum on East Asia's climate scheduled in Seoul for May 29 in order to share environmental friendly policies.
``As part of the East Asia Climate Partnership, delegates from Korea, ASEAN member countries, China, Mongolia and Central Asia will discuss strategies for low carbon, green growth and share related experiences,'' he said.
Korea earlier proposed to launch the partnership in line with the United Nations programs to fight climate change.
With about 10 days to go before the ASEAN-Korea Commemorative Summit, the minister expressed hope that the meeting would help the Lee administration gain the backing for its new vision, ``New Asia Diplomacy.''
``During the summit, leaders will discuss how to develop the relations between Korea and ASEAN and seek for regional collaboration on the global financial crisis and climate change,'' he said. The summit is scheduled for June 1-2 in Jeju Island.