    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [February 20, 2002]
    [Pages 259-260]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Dinner Hosted by President Kim Dae-
    jung of South Korea in Seoul, South Korea
    February 20, 2002

        Mr. President, Madam First Lady, thank you all
    so very much for your such generous hospitality. Laura and I are honored
    to be here.
        I'm told that in Korea, the color blue stands for elegance and
    dignity. Through your hospitality, Mr. President, these qualities are in
    abundance tonight.
        Earlier today President Kim and I traveled to the Demilitarized Zone
    and saw the line where freedom begins and ends. I was reminded there of
    the tremendous sacrifices paid by both South Koreans and Americans in
    defending that line. I met with men and women from both our nations who
    defend that line today on behalf of everybody in this room. As always,
    their enthusiasm and dedication to duty and freedom and country was
    inspiring.
        At the DMZ, President Kim and I also saw the railway and the road
    that symbolize our common hopes that families and commerce, culture and
    ideas may one day travel freely throughout the Peninsula. President Kim
    has offered the North a better way. He has offered them a vision of
    reconciliation over rivalry. He has offered them the chance to fulfill
    new hopes instead of feeding old suspicions. For the sake of all
    Koreans, I hope--and the American people hope--that the North does not
    miss this chance.
        Mr. President, by your unyielding love for liberty, you have written
    on the pages of history a story of uncommon courage and determination.
    Sustained by your strong faith, you endured hardships that most can
    hardly imagine, all for a simple idea, the idea that freedom belongs to
    every person, not just every Korean or every American but every Asian
    and every person on this planet.
        As you said in your Nobel lecture, and I quote, ``Democracy is the
    absolute value that makes for human dignity, as well as the only road to
    sustain economic development and social justice.''
        President Kim, Laura and I thank you for your friendship and your
    warm hospitality, and the world thanks you for your leadership and your
    vision. The American people thank you and the Korean people for the
    sympathy and support you have given our Nation during these past
    difficult months. And most of all, my country thanks South Korea for a
    half-century of friendship, a friendship that has brought great benefit
    to both our peoples, a friendship that has now matured into a great
    alliance for liberty.
        My toast tonight is that, may God continue to bless Korea and
    America.

    Note: The President spoke at 7:11 p.m. at the Blue House. In his
    remarks, he referred to President Kim's wife, Lee Hee-ho. The transcript
    released by the Office of the Press

    [[Page 260]]

    Secretary also included the remarks of President Kim.