Full Text of S. Korea-U.S. Summit Statement

The following is the official English text of a statement released by South Korea at the end of a summit meeting between South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President George W. Bush at Camp David over the weekend.

President Lee Myung-Bak of the Republic of Korea visited the United States of America from April 15th to 19th, at the invitation of President George W. Bush of the United States of America and held a summit meeting at Camp David on April 19th.

President Bush welcomed President Lee's visit to the United States and congratulated the inauguration of the new Korean administration, and President Lee thanked President Bush for his warm hospitality. President Lee asked President Bush to visit Korea on the occasion of his visit to Asia to participate in the G8 Summit in July 2008, and President Bush accepted the invitation with pleasure.

The two Presidents had amicable and in-depth exchanges of views and formed a broad common understanding on regional and global issues of mutual interest, as well as major bilateral issues.

1.

The two Presidents reaffirmed that both Korea and the U.S. have been developing a strong alliance on the basis of traditional friendly and cooperative relationship.

In order to effectively address new security challenges of the 21st century and changes to the situation in and out of their countries, both Presidents agreed to develop the current ROK-US alliance into a strategic alliance that seeks to enlarge common interests on the basis of universal values and strong trust.

The two Presidents directed their relevant ministers and secretaries to prepare ways for the development of the strategic alliance.

2.

In the common recognition that the presence of the U.S. forces in Korea is essential to peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, both Presidents shared the view that maintaining robust U.S. forces' capabilities in Korea is of critical importance.

The two Presidents also agreed to continue efforts to maintain and strengthen ROK-U.S. combined defense capabilities by successfully implementing the agreements regarding alliance readjustment, including relocation and realignment of the U.S. forces in Korea and transition of the wartime operational control.

In addition, both Presidents shared the view that improving the current Special Measures Agreement (SMA) system and elevating Korea's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) status are desirable for maintaining a stable ROK-US alliance and for its mid- to long-term development, and agreed to strengthen consultations and cooperation to this end.

Both Presidents noted with satisfaction that Korea and the U.S. have actively promoted close consultations on a wide range of areas through channels at various levels including the Strategic Consultation for Allied Partnership (SCAP) and the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), and agreed to further invigorate the consultations.

3.

Both Presidents reemphasized that a nuclear-armed North Korea will not be condoned. They reaffirmed that the North Korean nuclear issue should be resolved through peaceful and diplomatic means, and committed to making utmost efforts through the Six-Party Talks process to urge North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons program expeditiously.

The two Presidents reviewed the current status of the Second Phase actions implementing the Joint Statement of September 19, 2005, and expressed their concern at the delay in North Korea's complete declaration of its nuclear programs. They urged North Korea to expeditiously complete the disablement of its Yongbyon nuclear facilities and to submit a complete and correct declaration of all its nuclear programs. They affirmed that both Korea and the U.S. will actively take all measures corresponding to North Korea's actions.

President Bush expressed that once North Korea makes a strategic decision to denuclearize and puts it into action, the U.S. will actively explore ways to improve relations with North Korea correspondingly.

President Lee explained his policy to implement the "Denuclearization, Openness, 3000" initiative on the premise that North Korea dismantles its nuclear programs, and President Bush expressed his full support for the initiative.

4.

The two Presidents shared the view that development in inter-Korean relations contributes to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. President Bush expressed his support for Korea's efforts to improve inter-Korean relations and noted that the U.S. will also seek dialogues and exchanges with North Korea. The two Presidents also jointly recognized the importance of human rights as a universal value of all mankind.

The two Presidents agreed to work together to establish a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula and to enhance security cooperation in Northeast Asia. In particular, both Presidents shared a common understanding to launch a separate forum among the directly related parties to discuss the establishment of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula at an appropriate time in line with tangible progress in the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue.

Sharing the view that efforts to create trust and continue multilateral dialogues are needed to promote stability and development in the East Asia region, both Presidents agreed to strengthen various regional forums for security and economic cooperation.

5.

The two Presidents shared the view that it is necessary to further deepen economic cooperation between Korea and the U.S. in order for both countries to prosper together and to contribute to global economic growth. President Lee Myung-Bak outlined the new administration's policies to create a world-class economic environment by bringing Korea's economic system and practices in line with global standards. President Bush expressed his full support for the policies, noting that they would greatly contribute to Korea's economic growth and its efforts to attract foreign investment.

The two Presidents shared the view that entry into force of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) would further deepen and strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations, to the significant benefit of both nations. They noted that in a time of economic uncertainty, agreements like the KORUS FTA that will create additional jobs and opportunities for both nations are particularly valuable. President Bush welcomed the decision of the Korean government to resume the import of U.S. beef, based on international standards and science. The two Presidents pledged to make every effort to urge their respective legislatures to approve the KORUS FTA within this year.

6.

The two Presidents shared the view that Korea's participation in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) will be an important turning point in upgrading the bilateral relationship in various economic, social, and cultural areas. On the basis of such understanding, the two Presidents agreed to make every effort to realize Korea's participation in the VWP within this year, and in this regard welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding on the VWP that was signed during President Lee's visit.

In addition, sharing the view that youth exchanges are important for the development of bilateral relations, both Presidents agreed to establish youth exchange and networking programs and explore ways to enhance cooperation in the academic and human exchange fields including the possible expansion of relevant programs.

7.

The two Presidents commended many results that have been achieved on the war on terrorism. They noted with satisfaction at the close coordination, and the results achieved thereof, between the two countries in restoring peace and providing reconstruction assistance in major conflict regions of the world such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Both Presidents agreed to continue working closely not only at the bilateral level, but also at the multilateral forums such as the United Nations, in order to jointly address global issues such as nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, global coalition against terrorism, peace-keeping operations, climate change, energy security, protection of the environment, disaster relief, countering transnational crime and pandemic diseases, and advocating human rights and democracy.

Recognizing that climate change and energy security pose serious challenges to sustainable development of mankind, both Presidents agreed to strengthen cooperation for the development of low-carbon clean technologies and in the field of energy including renewable and nuclear energy. The two presidents recognized the urgency of reaching international agreement on a post-2012 energy security and climate change arrangement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by the end of 2009, and stressed their belief that the Major Economies Initiative will contribute to that objective. They agreed to call for all major economies to establish nationally appropriate mid-term energy security and climate change goals that are reflected in international agreements, recognizing the importance of integrating sustainable development with mitigation and of addressing adaptation. They also agreed to help improve global energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by working toward an agreement in the Doha Round on the global reduction or elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers for key climate-friendly technologies and services.

The two Presidents shared the view that reforms in multilateral institutions including the United Nations need to be continued in order for the international community to efficiently and effectively counter rising global challenges which can only be met by a common approach. They agreed to work closely together to this end.

The two Presidents also agreed to work closely together in other multilateral setting such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). The two Presidents reiterated their strong commitment to the Doha negotiations under the World Trade Organization (WTO), and agreed to demonstrate leadership to secure a successful outcome that will stimulate growth and development by creating new market access opportunities. They also agreed that the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum should play a leading role in shaping the future of the Asia-Pacific region and pledged their robust support for APEC's agenda for accelerating trans-Pacific economic integration, including through a possible Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific as a long-term prospect.

8.

Both Presidents expressed their satisfaction at the successful and fruitful outcome of President Lee's visit, and shared the belief that the visit was significant in the development in the bilateral relationship.