Lee says he's ready to meet with Kim
Source: Agencies |
January 30, 2010, Saturday
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SOUTH Korea's president says he is willing to meet North Korea's leader to discuss its nuclear weapons program despite a recent flare-up in border tensions.
"I am always ready to meet with Chairman Kim Jong Il," President Lee Myung-bak said. "There is no reason not to meet (him) even within this year" if it promotes peace on the Korean peninsula and North Korea's nuclear disarmament, he said.
Lee's comments came amid new tensions over artillery fire this week by North Korea during military exercises near its western sea border with the South. No casualties or damage have been reported.
Yesterday North Korea fired about 20 artillery rounds into its western waters, said South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
North Korea said the shelling is part of an annual exercise that would continue until March 29. It has designated two no-sail zones in the area, including some South Korean-held waters.
Lee has taken a tougher approach toward North Korea since taking office in 2008, worsening bilateral relations, but has indicated several times he is willing to meet Kim.
Lee's two liberal predecessors held talks with the North Korean leader in 2000 and 2007. South Korean news media reported last year the two countries had held a series of secret meetings to discuss a possible summit, but failed to breach wide differences.
"I am always ready to meet with Chairman Kim Jong Il," President Lee Myung-bak said. "There is no reason not to meet (him) even within this year" if it promotes peace on the Korean peninsula and North Korea's nuclear disarmament, he said.
Lee's comments came amid new tensions over artillery fire this week by North Korea during military exercises near its western sea border with the South. No casualties or damage have been reported.
Yesterday North Korea fired about 20 artillery rounds into its western waters, said South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
North Korea said the shelling is part of an annual exercise that would continue until March 29. It has designated two no-sail zones in the area, including some South Korean-held waters.
Lee has taken a tougher approach toward North Korea since taking office in 2008, worsening bilateral relations, but has indicated several times he is willing to meet Kim.
Lee's two liberal predecessors held talks with the North Korean leader in 2000 and 2007. South Korean news media reported last year the two countries had held a series of secret meetings to discuss a possible summit, but failed to breach wide differences.
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