    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [December 29, 1996]
    [Page 2237]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Resolution of the Korean Peninsula Submarine Incident
    December 29, 1996

        I welcome today's official statement by North Korea conveying its
    deep regret for the submarine incident in South Korea last September. I
    am pleased that P'yongyang has pledged to prevent the recurrence of such
    an incident and has expressed its willingness to work with others for
    durable peace and stability on the Peninsula. This is a significant
    development, which I hope will contribute to the reduction of tensions
    on the Korean Peninsula.
        I extend my appreciation to President Kim Yong-sam for his personal
    efforts to resolve the submarine incursion in a way that opens the door
    for future South-North dialog. The United States and South Korea have
    cooperated closely as firm allies to resolve this issue. I hope
    discussions can now begin to move forward on the four-party peace talks
    which President Kim Yong-sam and I offered last April.