A nuclear-free Korean Peninsular will be achieved in the
foreseeable future, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Trade Lee Soo-Hyuck of the Republic of Korea in Beijing
Wednesday?
Lee, also head of the ROK delegation, addressed the opening
session of the six-party talks, which also involves China, the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the United States, Russia
and Japan.
The consensus reached by all sides in the first round of
six-party talks would be discussed as "a program" for resolving the
nuclear issue, he said.
Should all sides hold an earnest and tolerant attitude and admit
the existing differences can they expand common ground for scoring
substantive progress in reaching to the goal of denuclearization on
the Korean Peninsula, he said.
Lee extended particular welcome to his DPRK counterpart Deputy
Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan for attending the talks and thanked
China's preparation for the talks.
"The eyes of the world are now on us," he said, noting that
cautious forecast should overweight optimist anticipation.
He admitted there is still a gap for the goal all pursued and
the reality they are facing.
However, "all of our words and deeds will be recorded in
history," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2004)