[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 135 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1851-E1852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       SOUND ADVICE FROM AN ALLY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 1998

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I recently received a letter from the 
South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hong Soon-young, in 
which he asks for the support of the U.S. Congress as his country seeks 
to manage the difficult relationship with North Korea.
  Minister Hong specifically asks for the continued backing of the U.S. 
Congress for the South's policy of engagement with the North. He also 
notes that the 1994 Geneva Framework Agreement, while not perfect, has 
played ``an effective and useful role'' in dealing with the challenge 
posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
  In perhaps the letter's key sentence, he requests that the House of 
Representatives continue to support implementation of this agreement so 
as to give the North no excuse for backing out of its obligations under 
the accord.

[[Page E1852]]

  Mr. Speaker, we hear much these days about the need to work closely 
with our friends and allies in South Korea. Here is a concrete request 
from Seoul. If the idea of working in cooperation with South Korea has 
any meaning at all, then I don't see how we have any choice but to 
honor Minister Hong's request that we not sabotage the Agreed 
Framework.
  I submit Minister Hong's letter to the Congressional Record, so that 
other Members may have the benefit of his views.

                    The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

                                 Seoul, Korea, September 16, 1998.
     Lee Hamilton,
     Congressman, House of Representatives, Rayburn House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Hamilton. It was a great pleasure to meet 
     you during my recent visit to the United States. In 
     particular, I am very grateful for your kindness in attending 
     the meeting I had at the U.S. House of Representatives. I 
     found the discussions on the U.S.-Korea relationship as well 
     as our policies toward north Korea to be very useful and 
     informative.
       As discussed during our meeting, I fully share with you and 
     your colleagues the deep apprehension about north Korea's 
     recent actions, such as the construction of underground 
     facilities and the firing of a launcher.
       However, we believe that the Geneva Framework Agreement, 
     though not perfect, has played an effective and useful role 
     in freezing north Korea's nuclear weapons program and thus 
     maintaining peace and security of the Korean Peninsula and in 
     Northeast Asia.
       As we press north Korea to fully abide by its obligations 
     under the Agreement, we should be careful not to give it any 
     excuse to break the nuclear freeze. In this respect, the 
     support of the U.S. House of Representatives for smooth 
     implementation of the Agreement is most important.
       At the same time, it is essential to draw north Korea to 
     engage in genuine dialogue and exchanges with the Republic of 
     Korea. Lasting peace and security on the Korean Peninsula can 
     not be realized without talks between the parties directly 
     concerned. We count on the continued assistance of the U.S. 
     Congress for our engagement policy toward the north.
       Once again, thanking you for your support and the warm 
     hospitality extended to me during my visit to the United 
     States, I wish you good health and success in all of your 
     noble endeavors.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Hong Soon-young.

     

                          ____________________