Text Fwd: Lee and Obama confirm cooperation over N.Korea issues

* Image source: Hankyoreh

'U.S. President Barack Obama, left, shakes hands with South Korea’s President Lee Myung-bak during a joint press conference at the Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, November 19, 2009.'


Lee and Obama confirm cooperation over N.Korea issues :Both presidents agreed that N.Korea should stop its belligerent actions against its neighbors
Posted on : May.19,2010 12:03 KST

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President Barack Obama agreed during a telephone conversation Tuesday that North Korea needs to stop its belligerent actions and decided to boost efforts to cooperate, according to the Cheong Wa Dae (the presidential office in South Korea or Blue House).

The Cheong Wa Dae also said the two leaders agreed that North Korea needed to comply with its duties under UN Security Council Resolution 1874 and keep its commitment to the international community to abandon its nuclear program.

The fact that the two leaders agreed that North Korea should stop its belligerent actions has been interpreted to mean that the two countries share the conclusion that North Korea sank the Cheonan and that they would cooperate on a follow-up response.

During the telephone conversation, President Lee said the international joint investigation team’s investigation has been proceeding scientifically and objectively in accordance with the initial goal. In response, President Obama said the U.S. fully trusts and supports Seoul’s response and the activities of the international investigation team. Obama also said U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would be sent to South Korea next week to hold close discussions with Seoul regarding a follow-up response.

The Cheong Wa Dae said the two leaders agreed to convene foreign and defense minister talks (2 plus 2 talks) in Seoul on July 22 as part of efforts to reinforce South Korea’s security. The two leaders also agreed to hold a summit on the sidelines of the G20 meeting to be held in Canada in June.

“The two leaders emphasized the importance of obtaining a full account of the event and committed to follow the facts of the investigation wherever they lead,” stated a press release from the White House released today. “President Obama reaffirmed the strong and unwavering commitment of the United States to the defense and the well-being of its close friend and ally, the Republic of Korea.”

The press release also stated, “President Obama and President Lee reiterated that North Korea must live up to its commitment to eliminate its nuclear weapons program, comply with its international obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and put an end to belligerent behavior toward its neighbors.”

The Lee administration plans to call in to the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday the ambassadors of the six-party talk states and the UN Security Council, with the exception of the U.S. Those nations are to include China, Russia, Japan, the United Kingdom, France and the European Union. The administration plans to conduct a pre-release briefing of the results of the investigation into the sinking of the Cheonan and discuss possible responses.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani]

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