[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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