    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [October 20, 2003]
    [Pages 1364-1365]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Republic of
    Korea
    October 20, 2003

        On October 20, 2003, President George W. Bush of the United States
    of America and President Roh Moo-hyun of the
    Republic of Korea held a summit meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. At the
    meeting, the two Presidents noted with satisfaction that there has been
    smooth progress in building a comprehensive and dynamic alliance
    relationship between the two countries as declared in the Joint
    Statement adopted on May 14. In addition, the two Presidents had a broad
    and sincere exchange of views on various issues between the two
    countries, including North Korea's nuclear issue, Iraq reconstruction,
    and the issue of upgrading the U.S.-ROK alliance.
        Regarding the U.S. request for the dispatch of additional troops to
    Iraq, President Roh explained that as a result
    of conducting a comprehensive review of the overall situation, including
    the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance and national interest, the ROK
    government has decided to dispatch additional troops to Iraq so as to
    provide assistance for a prompt establishment of peace and
    reconstruction in Iraq. President Roh stated that the size, type and
    form of the troops as well as the timing of the dispatch will be decided
    by taking into account public opinion, the result of the survey teams
    and the characteristics and capability of the Korean military forces.
    President Bush expressed respect and gratitude to President Roh for
    making the principled determination to dispatch troops. President Bush
    also stated that the ROK's dispatch of troops to Iraq will not only
    further strengthen the U.S.-ROK alliance and contribute to the
    reconstruction and stabilization of Iraq, but also will serve as an
    opportunity to increase the ROK's prestige in the international
    community.
        President Bush and President Roh reconfirmed
    the principles agreed upon in their summit meeting in May, that they
    will not tolerate nuclear weapons in North Korea and that they are
    committed to a peaceful resolution of the issue. The leaders noted the
    importance of the Six Party talks for achieving the goal of the
    complete, verifiable and irreversible elimination of North Korea's
    nuclear weapons programs. The two Presidents shared the view that it is
    desirable to hold the next round of the talks at an early date and to
    make concrete progress. President Bush reiterated that the U.S. has no
    intention of invading North Korea and that the U.S. expects North Korea
    to end its nuclear weapons ambitions. President Bush explained how
    security assurances might be provided within the multilateral context,
    conditioned on North Korea's progress in nuclear dismantlement.
    President Roh expressed appreciation for President Bush's efforts toward
    resolving the issue. The two Presidents agreed to study ways and means
    to seek progress in the next round of the talks. The two Presidents also
    urged North Korea to respond positively to the other parties' diplomatic
    efforts and to refrain from any

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    action which would exacerbate the situation.
        President Bush and President Roh noted that
    the strong alliance between the ROK and the U.S. and the presence of US
    Forces Korea have made great contributions to peace and stability on the
    Korean peninsula as well as in Northeast Asia. The two Presidents agreed
    to pursue the relocation of USFK bases in careful consideration of the
    security environment on the Korean peninsula.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.