By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak said Sunday that Pyongyang's attempts to bypass South Korea for direct contacts with Washington on sensitive security issues will not be successful.
He said that North Korea's strategy of ignoring South Korea for direct contacts with the United States has failed.
``North Korea has sought strategies to disregard South Korea for direct negotiations with the U.S. on nuclear issues. But this cannot be successful,'' Lee said at a news conference Sunday ahead of his departure to the United States, Tuesday, for a summit with U.S. President George W. Bush at Camp David.
He also reaffirmed the strong Korea-U.S. alliance, saying, ``Compared to the previous administration, the new government will be more active in closely coordinating with the U.S. over North Korea policies.''
He also dismissed speculation that there might be behind-the-scenes deal between North Korea and U.S. nuclear envoys in Singapore where they held talks last week.
Christopher Hill, Washington's chief negotiator in the six-party nuclear talks, and his North Korean counterpart Kim Kye-gwan said that important progress had been made to end the impasse on dismantling the North's nuclear weapons program.
Lee's remarks have come even though neither Pyongyang nor Washington has yet to disclose the results of the meeting.
The President also urged North Korea to halt its provocative threats and to engage in dialogue to implement changes to adapt the reclusive country to the new international order. He said Seoul is always ready for talks with Pyongyang to help resolve the nuclear weapons issue.
``We will persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear program through the six-party talks. The North has to realize that denuclearization will be beneficial,'' he said. ``The South is also deeply concerned about the livelihood of North Koreans.''
He added that the government will be ready for a dialogue with North Korea if it is helpful in settling the North's nuclear issue and improving the welfare of the North Korean people. ``The door is always open,'' he added.
He said his summits with President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will mark the first step in the Korean government's bid to pursue pragmatic diplomacy.
Lee also stressed that time is running out for the ratification of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA).
``There is no time for us to hesitate. The National Assembly has to move quickly to ratify the FTA deal with the U.S. in order to encourage the U.S. Congress to match Seoul's action,'' he said.
He urged the National Assembly to hold an extraordinary session in May to pass the FTA. However, the opposition United Democratic Party wants to look at the FTA in June.
Lee is likely to promise Bush that Seoul will fully open its beef market to the U.S., to smooth the way for the passage of the FTA by Congress.
The President said he will soon visit China and Russia following his visits to Washington and Tokyo.
He also said he will pursue the politics of compromise and integration and devote himself to reviving the economy. But progressive parties have criticized Lee for seeking to promote the chaebol ― family owned conglomerates ― in the name of revitalizing the economy. The center left, opposition United Democratic Party urged the President to pay more attention to helping ordinary people feel the benefit of economic growth and to be more proactive in dealing with North Korea.