President Roh pledges to make concessions to North Korea

몽골 국빈방문 사흘째인 노무현 대통령이 9일 울란바토르에서 열린 동포간담회에서 격려사를 하고 있다. (울란바토르=연합뉴스)

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia--South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun vowed Tuesday to grant many concessions to North Korea, signaling Seoul's intention of making a more aggressive effort to improve relations with Pyongyang. Speaking to a group of ethnic Koreans here, the president said that his administration has completely opened the door for unconditional dialogue with North Korea.

"I have said dozens of times that we should talk about any subject, anytime and anywhere," President Roh said in a meeting with a group of ethnic Koreans here.

President Roh said he is willing to have a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to root out mistrust between the two sides, expressing hope that his predecessor may be able to broker it.

"I hope that former president Kim Dae-jung will be able to have a flexible dialogue [with the North Korean leader]," Roh said.

Former president Kim is scheduled to visit Pyongyang next month, six years after he attended the first-ever inter-Korean summit with the North Korean leader. That historic meeting, though somewhat clouded by allegations of money transferred to Pyongyang to secure it, paved the way for economic cooperation and various other exchanges between the two sides, as well as helping Mr. Kim to win the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize.

Kim Dae-jung is hailed as the architect of Seoul's policy of engaging Pyongyang, which the Roh administration has continued to pursue. The North's reclusive leader has yet to keep his promise to make a reciprocal trip to the South.

President Roh said that his country will continue humanitarian aid to North Korea despite criticism from local and foreign conservatives that it is reckless assistance.

The government plans to support North Korea as long as it does not undermine the fundamental validity of South Korea's ideology and system, he said.

A senior presidential advisor said President Roh's remarks reflect his eagerness to have a summit with the North Korean leader.

"But he wants to make concessions to North Korea on the basis of certain principles," the official said on condition of anonymity.

President Roh, who arrived here on Sunday for a four-day state visit, is to leave for Azerbaijan on Wednesday.

On Monday, the president held a summit with Mongolian President Nambar Enkhbayar and agreed to establish partnership relations through closer cooperation in politics, economy and culture. (Yonhap News Agency)