President Lee: Obama Will Not Overlook North Korean Human Rights
President Lee Myung Bak predicts that North Korean human rights issues will be brought to the discussion table because the next Obama administration will not neglect such issues.
President Lee, during a joint interview with Chosun Ilbo, Japan’s Mainich Daily News and the U.K.’s Times on the 9th at the Blue House, said that, “North Korea should not think lightly of the fact that Obama was elected as the next U.S. President. It will do North Korea more good to take a more serious and proactive position [on every North Korea-related issue with the next administration].”
President Lee, regarding Obama’s policy plans for North Korea, furthermore said that, “Both of us may be able to negotiate better than the Bush administration. The Bush administration seemed to rush the process towards the end of its term.”
“I do not oppose the possibility of a summit between the U.S. and North Korea’s Kim Jong Il if it helps to denuclearize North Korea. The U.S. and North Korea will eventually undertake full-negotiations, whether it is via separate meetings with North Korea or some other way” he added.
He furthermore added that “The North Korean nuclear issue will be dealt with within the Six Party Talks’ framework. However, cooperative efforts to solve this issue by the U.S. and North Korea will help to achieve the results of the Six Party Talks.”
Regarding the possible shift of the U.S–South Korea alliance due to the differences in Obama and Bush administrations, President Lee commented that not much will change because, whether a president is Democrat or Republican, the foremost goal of foreign policy is to achieve the U.S.’ national interests.
President Lee, mentioning his phone conversation with President-elect Obama, said that “It can be seen that Obama is sensitive to Asia’s affairs due to the fact that he researched many things (such as President Lee’s Hyundai resume) to have one conversation with me. Obama grew up with many people from Asia around him so he has a deep understanding of Asians.”
Regarding the KOR-U.S. FTA, President Lee said that “The KOR-US FTA is not advantageous for just one country. It is advantageous for the both of us economically and in terms of strengthening the alliance. Especially regarding the automobile issues, both nations have already renegotiated during the negotiation process.”
“I have also taken up where our previous administration left off, and Obama also will continue where the Bush administration will leave off. The Obama administration will come to an understanding after carefully examining this issue after taking office” he added.
He also presumes that “The FTA will possibly be ratified in the end because many Democrat congressmen recognize the importance of the KOR-US FTA.”
