    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [November 17, 2005]
    [Pages 1734-1737]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Declaration on the ROK-U.S. Alliance and Peace on the Korean
    Peninsula
    November 17, 2005

        President Roh Moo-hyun of the Republic of
    Korea (ROK) and President George W. Bush of the United States of America
    held a summit meeting on November 17, 2005, in Gyeongju.

        President Bush expressed his deep appreciation for Korea's natural
    beauty and ancient culture which he was able to experience together with
    President Roh at Gyeongju.
        The two leaders had an in-depth discussion
    on a wide range of issues: the alliance, the North Korean nuclear issue,
    inter-Korean relations and establishing a peace regime on the Korean
    Peninsula, economic cooperation, and cooperation in regional and global
    issues.

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        Reaffirming that the alliance is strong, the two leaders concurred that the resolution of the North Korean
    nuclear issue is essential for establishing durable peace on the Korean
    peninsula.
        President Roh and President Bush highlighted
    the contribution of the alliance to securing peace and stability on the
    Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia for the past fifty years.
        The two leaders expressed their satisfaction
    with the steady development of the ROK-U.S. relationship into a
    comprehensive, dynamic and mutually-beneficial alliance relationship, as
    agreed upon during the May 14, 2003, summit in Washington D.C.
        The two leaders reviewed the successful
    force realignment agreements and shared the view that this realignment
    will further enhance the combined defense capability of the alliance.
    They expressed the common understanding that U.S. Forces-Korea (USFK) is
    essential for the peace and stability of the Peninsula and Northeast
    Asia.
        The two leaders agreed that the alliance not
    only stands against threats but also for the promotion of the common
    values of democracy, market economy, freedom, and human rights in Asia
    and around the world.
        President Roh and President Bush spoke
    highly of the successful agreements on the relocation of USFK bases
    including Yong-san Garrison, and the partial reduction of USFK, which
    was accomplished through close ROK-U.S. consultation. Both leaders
    expressed satisfaction that the agreements between the two sides were
    being faithfully implemented.
        President Bush expressed appreciation for the assistance that Korean
    troops are giving to a swifter establishment of peace and reconstruction
    in Iraq and Afghanistan and also for the contribution the Korean
    government has made towards strengthening the ROK-U.S. alliance through
    such efforts.
        President Roh and President Bush agreed to
    launch a strategic dialogue called Strategic Consultation for Allied
    Partnership (SCAP) at the ministerial-level to consult on bilateral,
    regional and global issues of mutual interest. The two leaders agreed to
    have the first strategic dialogue at the beginning of 2006.
        President Roh and President Bush reiterated
    that a nuclear-armed North Korea will not be tolerated, and reaffirmed
    the principles that the North Korean nuclear issue should be resolved
    through peaceful and diplomatic means and that North Korea should
    eliminate its nuclear weapons programs promptly and verifiably.
        The two leaders welcomed the September 19
    Joint Statement concluded during the fourth round of the Six-Party Talks
    as an important step towards the goal of a denuclearized North Korea.
        They welcomed North Korea's commitment to
    abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs and reaffirmed
    their commitment to take measures outlined in the Joint Statement.
        The two leaders looked forward to progress
    in the fifth round of talks, which should be dedicated to the
    implementation of the Joint Statement.
        President Roh reaffirmed that the ROK will
    continue to pursue the development of inter-Korean relations in
    accordance with its Peace and Prosperity Policy and in harmony with
    progress in resolving the nuclear issue so that both are mutually
    reinforcing. President Bush expressed support for South-North
    reconciliation and pledged to continue close cooperation and
    coordination as it develops.
        The two leaders shared a common
    understanding that the process of resolving the North Korean nuclear
    issue will provide an important basis to build a durable peace regime on
    the Korean Peninsula.
        The two leaders agreed that reducing the
    military threat on the Korean Peninsula and moving from the current
    armistice mechanism to a peace mechanism would contribute to full
    reconciliation and peaceful reunification on the Korean Peninsula.

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        Pursuant to the September 19th Six Party Joint Statement, the two
    leaders agreed that discussions on a peace
    regime should take place amongst directly-related parties in a forum
    separate from the Six-Party Talks and following progress in those Talks,
    and expected that the discussions on a peace regime and the Six Party
    Talks will be mutually reinforcing.
        They agreed that these peace discussions
    should lead to a decreased military threat and increased confidence on
    the peninsula in a manner consistent with the peaceful intentions of the
    U.S.-ROK alliance.
        The two leaders exchanged views on the
    situation for the people of the North and, based on a common hope for a
    better future, agreed to continue seeking ways to improve their
    condition.
        The two leaders agreed to strengthen ROK-
    U.S. cooperation so that APEC, as a major economic forum encompassing
    the Asia-Pacific, can respond more effectively to important demands from
    the region in the future.
        President Roh and President Bush agreed to
    closely cooperate with each other with a view to ensuring the success of
    the forthcoming 6th WTO Ministerial conference and the final conclusion
    of the WTO Doha development agenda negotiations.
        The two presidents recognized that close
    economic ties are an important pillar of the bilateral relationship and
    agreed that deepening and strengthening our economic and trade
    cooperation will contribute to the prosperity and freedom of both
    nations.
        President Bush announced that the U.S. will work with the ROK to
    develop a visa waiver program roadmap to assist Korea in meeting the
    requirements for membership in the program. Korea's interest in
    participating in the VWP reflects our strong bilateral partnership and
    will contribute to enhance exchanges and mutual understanding.
        President Roh and President Bush agreed to
    make common efforts to develop a regional multilateral security dialogue
    and a cooperation mechanism, so as to jointly respond to regional
    security issues. In this regard, both leaders noted that the
    participants in the Six-Party Talks agreed through the Joint Statement
    to look for ways and means to promote security cooperation in Northeast
    Asia and that there was a common understanding among the participants
    that the Six-Party Talks could develop into such a regional multilateral
    security consultative mechanism once the North Korean nuclear issue is
    resolved.
        The two leaders also agreed to continuously
    strengthen bilateral cooperation in the United Nations and other
    international organizations, including through such activities as peace-
    keeping operations.
        The two leaders agreed to continue to
    cooperate in fighting the global war on terror, and dealing with various
    international security issues including transnational crimes.
        The two leaders agreed to cooperate in arms
    reduction and efforts to prevent the proliferation of WMD and their
    means of delivery at a regional and global level.
        President Roh and President Bush agreed to
    continue to work together towards a full partnership between allies.

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

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