[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 48 (Monday, November 30, 1998)]
[Pages 2363-2369]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's News Conference With President Kim Dae-jung of South 
Korea in Seoul

November 21, 1998

    President Kim. Good afternoon. I wholeheartedly welcome President 
Clinton's visit today, which marks his third visit during his term in 
office. The fact that in the first year of the new government in Korea 
we have had an exchange of summit meetings demonstrates to our peoples 
and the rest of the world the solidity of the alliance that binds our 
two countries.
    We, the two heads of state, as we had agreed during the summit 
meeting in June in Washington, have decided to take the Korea-U.S. 
relationship to a higher level of partnership into the 21st century 
based on our shared treasured values of democracy and market economy.
    Through my second summit meeting with President Clinton after my 
inauguration, I have had a broad and indepth consultation with President 
Clinton on the political situation on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast 
Asia, the East Asian economic crisis, and regional and global issues of 
common interest. In particular, our consultation focused primarily on 
the following four areas:
    First, we agreed that the security alliance between the two 
countries must stand firm and solid. President Clinton reaffirmed the 
unwavering security commitment of the U.S. toward the Republic of Korea, 
and we, the two heads of state, agreed that his visit has provided an 
opportunity to further strengthen the close security alliance.
    Second, President Clinton and I reviewed North Korea's recent 
attitudes towards the Republic of Korea and the United States, and we 
appreciated the present state of exchanges and cooperation between the 
North and the South. Given the current situation on the Korean 
Peninsula, we also agreed that the policy of engagement is the best 
policy from a realistic standpoint and that this ought to be pursued 
with consistency.
    We also noted the contribution of the Geneva agreed framework, the 
contribution the framework is making toward peace and stability on the 
Korean Peninsula as well as the global efforts for nuclear 
nonproliferation. We affirmed that we will continue to work together to 
keep the light-water reactor construction going smoothly.
    However, we, the two heads of state, we made it clear that we will 
not tolerate any possible attempt of North Korea to proliferate nuclear 
weapons, missiles, and other weapons of mass destruction, and decided to 
closely coordinate in talking with the North on a wide range of pending 
issues.
    In particular, President Clinton and I had a full exchange of views 
regarding the suspicion surrounding underground construction activity 
within the North. I told President Clinton that the Korean Government 
considers this issue as a very serious one, given its implication for 
the security of the Peninsula, and we would continue to spare no efforts 
in supporting the U.S. endeavor to pursue its resolution.
    We have stressed that all necessary steps should be taken to clarify 
the purpose and character of the underground sites through full access. 
We have required North Korea to clear the suspicion and help implement 
the Geneva agreed framework smoothly. We reaffirmed that the roles that 
the parties directly concerned, the South and the North, must play in 
resolving the problems on the Peninsula are important and agreed that 
the neighboring countries should spare no effort for the South and the 
North to make progress in dialog and play a leading role.
    We have noted the establishment of the subcommittees and other 
positive developments in the third plenary session of the four-party 
talks and decided to continue to work together to produce more 
substantive results in the future.
    Third, we, the two heads of state, had an indepth consultation on 
how to promote economic cooperation between the two countries. President 
Clinton reiterated his firm support for Korea's efforts to move past the 
economic crisis. I explained the steps the Korean Government has taken 
to reform the economy and President Clinton expressed the view that even 
though the Government reform measures might accompany short-term 
difficulties, they will eventually lead to an early resolution of the 
economic crisis. And he offered to lend as much support as possible.

[[Page 2364]]

    I appreciated the leadership the United States has shown in the 
efforts to help Korea overcome the economic crisis and asked the 
President for further cooperation in this regard, emphasizing that 
greater foreign investment is what Korea needs to resolve the economic 
difficulties at an early date. President Clinton, for his part, said 
that he will send a trade and investment delegation, led by Commerce 
Secretary Daley, sometime early next year, and we decided to work 
together to ensure the early signing of a bilateral investment treaty.
    I expressed my satisfaction with a smooth implementation of the 
economic measures that were agreed upon in the last summit meeting. In 
particular, I noted with gratitude that the U.S. Overseas Private 
Investment Corporation resumed investment guarantee programs in Korea 
and welcomed the productive discussions held through the Korea-U.S. 
economic subcabinet consultation that resumed in early November, after a 
hiatus of 3 years.
    President Clinton and I also decided to work together to resolve 
economic and trade issues in a mutually beneficial manner, as seen from 
the amicable resolution of the automobile talks. We also agreed to make 
concerted efforts on the basis of internationally agreed principles to 
expand electronic commerce and to resolve the Y2K problem. Through extra 
meetings and other means, our two countries will closely cooperate in 
these areas as well.
    Fourth, President Clinton and I decided to work together towards a 
closer partnership in regional and global issues. As part of these 
efforts, we agreed to search for measures to simultaneously foster 
democracy and market economy in Asia. In this regard, we decided to 
create a democracy forum to bring together young leaders from the Asian 
region, led by the U.S. National Endowment for Democracy and the Korean 
Sejong Research Institute. The two institutions will continue to work 
out further details.
    At the same time, President Clinton and I shared the view that 
coordination through the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, APEC, 
and other multilateral institutions is needed, and agreed to work 
together closely to overcome the East Asian economic crisis.
    Likewise, we found today that our views over a wide range of issues 
are in total accord. In this respect, I believe today's meeting was a 
valuable opportunity to deepen the close policy coordination and the 
mutual trust between the two countries.
    Thank you.
    President Clinton. First of all, I would like to thank President Kim 
for making the American delegation feel so welcome here in Korea. The 
importance of our relationship with Korea is evidenced by the fact that 
this is the second meeting President Kim and I have had in just a few 
months and that I am accompanied on this trip by a very distinguished 
delegation, including five Members of our United States Congress, who 
are here with me today, and many distinguished members of our 
administration. We all view President Kim as one of the world's great 
champions of democracy, an inspiration because of his longstanding 
faith, his firmness, his capacity for forgiveness, and his foresight 
which I have seen again today.
    We did a lot of work today to advance our common commitments and 
interests. Much of it has already been described by the President, but I 
would like to say a few words.
    First, with regard to security, our goal is what it has always been, 
a peaceful Korea, part of a prosperous Asia. America stands by its 
unshakable alliance with the Republic of Korea. The alliance is based on 
a history of shared sacrifice and a future of united purpose, to defend 
freedom and to secure a stable and permanent peace on this Peninsula.
    President Kim and I continue to support an approach that is a clear-
eyed mix of diplomacy through the four-party talks and President Kim's 
engagement policy; nonproliferation through the agreed framework and the 
missile talks; and deterrence against North Korean aggression through 
our defense cooperation.
    I support President Kim's policy of gradual engagement with North 
Korea. The four-party peace talks offer the best avenue to a lasting 
settlement, but they demand tremendous patience and perseverence. Both 
President Kim and I, as you heard him say, are convinced that the agreed 
framework is the

[[Page 2365]]

best way to prevent North Korea from developing nuclear weapons, 
provided Pyongyang abides by its commitments.
    Now, North Korea's recent actions, including the Taepodong missile 
launch and the construction of a suspect underground facility, are cause 
for deep concern. We have made it clear to Pyongyang that it must 
satisfy our concerns and that further provocations will threaten the 
progress we have made.
    The President and I, as he said, also addressed economics. Let me, 
first of all, say that the people of the United States extend their 
great support and understanding for all the pain and dislocation the 
people of Korea have endured in this economic crisis. But we admire the 
tough choices that President Kim's administration has made to address 
the financial crisis and to put Korea back on the path to economic 
growth.
    We also admire the support that average citizens here have given to 
making tough choices for a better tomorrow. It is encouraging to us that 
interest rates have fallen and Korea's currency has stabilized. The U.S. 
has worked to support Korea's efforts with bilateral assistance and 
through the IMF and the multilateral development banks. To aid trade and 
investment, our Export-Import Bank, whose Director is here with us 
today, has offered an unprecedented $4 billion in credit, which over the 
next 2 years will support $8 billion in exports. The Overseas Private 
Investment Corporation has reopened its operations here to help the 
return of private investment. And we have just agreed to expand our 
agricultural export credits.
    Earlier this week we joined with Japan to create the Asian growth 
and recovery initiative to help accelerating restructuring in the 
corporate and financial sectors, to help to work through the debt so 
that private sector growth can occur again here and throughout Asia.
    And we particularly want to support President Kim's efforts to 
protect the most vulnerable members of Korean society. I know that Korea 
has endured much pain and still has a difficult road to travel, 
including reforming the financial sector, facilitating corporate 
restructuring, getting all the people back to work. The United States 
will support your efforts. It is very important that all segments of 
this society, including all the conglomerates, pay their part, as well.
    The President cannot do this alone. The Government cannot do this 
alone. The people, with all their good wishes, still need the help of 
all segments of this society. The United States looks to Korea for its 
leadership in maintaining and expanding open markets during Asia's 
economic difficulties. We are especially grateful for Korea's leadership 
in APEC and supporting our sectoral liberalization initiative that we 
have in common.
    At the same time, we also hope Korea will continue to open its 
markets, resist the temptation to protectionism. As President Kim said, 
we are very encouraged by the recent agreement to open Korea's 
automobile markets to American manufacturers. And I did ask the 
President to make sure we have special care to prevent unfair trade 
practices or subsidization in sensitive sectors like steel and 
semiconductors.
    Let me finally say that President Kim is one of the world's most 
eloquent advocates for the proposition that democracy and prosperity 
must go hand in hand. Here in Asia, countries that are responding to the 
financial crisis by deepening their democracy, Korea, Thailand, for 
example, are faring better because the difficult solutions they propose 
have more legitimacy with their people. Over the long run, democracy and 
good governance will be vital to economic growth. The information-driven 
economies of the 21st century will be measuring the true wealth of their 
nations by the free flow of ideas and creativity.
    Therefore, as President Kim has said, I welcome, too, the 
establishment here in Korea of a new forum on democracy and free markets 
to be led by the Korean Sejong Institute and our own NED.
    I also want to thank President Kim for Korea's many contributions to 
peacekeeping, its defense of human rights and democracy in places like 
Burma, its growing support for the fight against global warming. We are 
proud of our strong alliance with Korea, proud that Korea has a 
visionary President willing to take on the challenges of today and the 
dreams of tomorrow. And we are committed to maintaining and improving 
our

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partnership in security, in economics, in the pursuit of freedom and 
democracy.
    Thank you very much.
    South Korean official. Thank you very much. And now your questions, 
please. First, a Korean reporter and then a foreign reporter. We'll take 
turns. For the Korean reporters, I will be giving the speaking turns. 
For the foreign, American reporters, the White House spokesman will be 
giving the turns.

North Korea

    Q. Regarding engagement, vis-a-vis the North, both of you are 
actively supportive of engagement. There are positive and negative 
signs, the Kumgang Mountain tourism development is a positive sign. But 
on the other hand, we have suspicions about its underground construction 
site. President Kim, without the nature of the underground construction 
site having been ascertained, do you still plan to stay with engagement? 
How far can you go?
    And President Clinton, I know there are hard-liners in Congress vis-
a-vis the North. The Congress has said that unless the suspicion is 
alleviated by May, it will be cutting its support for the heavy fuel oil 
to the North. Given the situation, do you think you will be able to 
ascertain the exact nature of the underground facilities?
    President Kim. I will be answering first. North Korea, as you have 
said, is showing two sides, both negative and positive sides. Let us 
discuss the positive side first. As you know, the Kumgang Mountain 
tourism ship is in the North.
    The tourism program is smoothly on track. This project was made 
possible because the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, personally met 
with the honorary chairman of Hyundai to conclude the agreement on this 
project. This, to us, indicates a significant change in the North Korean 
attitude.
    Secondly, the military armistice commission, which was halted during 
the past 7 years, has been revived under a different name. We now call 
it the General Officers Talks, but it carries out the same functions. So 
the military dialog has been resumed.
    Thirdly, over the suspected underground construction site, the 
United States continues to engage the North in dialog.
    And fourth, the North Korean Constitution has been amended to 
introduce elements of the market economy. And given the nature of the 
North Korean regime, a very stiff idealogue regime which rules by 
ideology, the changes in the Constitution is very significant.
    And finally, in the four-party talks--in the third plenary of the 
four-party talks, the four sides reached agreement to establish two 
subcommittees to discuss peace on the Korean Peninsula. These are the 
positive developments.
    But as you say, there are the negative signs. For example, the 
infiltration of North Korean submarines into our territorial waters. The 
suspected underground construction site is another negative indication. 
And of course, the Taepodong missile launching has raised tension not 
only on the Korean Peninsula but in Japan and the United States; it was 
a great shock. These are some of the negative developments.
    Thus, for the positive signals, we should further encourage that; we 
should try to build upon those positive signs. But on the negative side, 
these are all serious issues, especially the construction site, the 
suspicion over the construction site. We must require full access and 
ways to ascertain the nature and the purposes of the construction site. 
If it is, in fact, proven that it is nuclear-related, we should demand 
immediate close down.
    On missiles, too, we must urge for solutions, for talks with the 
North toward resolving the issue. So we must be firm on these issues, 
and depending on how the North reacts, responds to these requirements, 
the United States, Korea, and Japan and the other countries can consult 
and come out with a common response.
    Thank you.
    President Clinton. I will be very brief. You asked about the feeling 
in our Congress. I do believe that next year when the time for review 
comes up, if there is a conviction in the United States Congress that 
North Korea has not kept its commitments under the agreed framework or 
has done other things which, in effect, make our efforts to

[[Page 2367]]

resolve nuclear and other issues doomed to failure, then there will be 
great reluctance to continue to fund the American responsibilities under 
the agreed framework.
    That's why it's so important that we get access to this site, this 
questionable site where, I want to make it clear, we have strong 
information that raises a suspicion, but no one yet knows for sure, at 
least in our camp, what the facility is and what its intended purpose 
is, specifically. But it raises a strong suspicion. We need access to 
it.
    Now, let me back up one step and just make two points very quickly. 
First point: To date, the agreed framework has done its job. We are 
convinced that without the agreement to prevent the reprocessing of 
spent nuclear fuel rods, North Korea already would have produced a 
sizable amount of weapons-grade plutonium. Also, the agreement framework 
has given us a forum, if you will, a means to deal with other issues, 
the MIA remains, terrorism, the four-party talks, and the missile issue, 
which is very important as well.
    So, could missile launches without notification, the construction of 
suspect facilities, other provocations undermine the policy we are 
pursuing? Of course, it could. I have appointed my former Defense 
Secretary, Bill Perry, as our Special Coordinator for Korea Policy to 
intensify our efforts to make sure we have the best possible policy. But 
if it does not work, it will be because of actions by the North Koreans.
    I am absolutely convinced that President Kim has done the right 
thing. I am absolutely convinced that the policies we have followed 
together have been correct. And it would be a sad thing, indeed, if for 
no good end over the long run the North Koreans were to make it 
impossible for us to go forward, because this is the right way forward.

Situation in Iraq

    Q. Mr. President, in another trouble spot, Iraq today balked at a 
U.N. request for documents relating to its weapons program and laid out 
conditions for the U.N. inspectors. Is this a breach of Iraq's promise 
for unconditional cooperation and what would be the consequences?
    President Clinton. Well, first of all, I think it's important that 
we not overreact here on the first day. I want to make sure that I know 
exactly what the facts are. I believe that--the one thing that I would 
like to say, though, to Iraq and to the world, is that we think there 
are some affirmative obligations here. For most of the last several 
years, including the time when I've been President and the time before I 
was President, when most people would say that Iraq was cooperating with 
UNSCOM, their idea of cooperation was not to do anything affirmative to 
prevent UNSCOM from moving around a country that is a very large 
country. But for most of the time, they took no affirmative steps, as 
was their duty under the United Nations resolutions.
    Now, I think that Mr. Butler is a professional person. They are 
testing Iraq's commitments. And I hope that Iraq will comply, as it said 
it would in the letters just a few days ago, with the letter and the 
spirit of the U.N. resolutions, and give them the information they seek. 
Now, if they have some independent grounds for objecting to some of this 
information--that is, if they think it's some effort to find out 
something having nothing to do with matters covered by the U.N. 
resolutions--they ought to say that, and then we should immediately 
resolve it.
    But if they want the sanctions lifted because they have complied 
with all the U.N. resolutions on weapons, they have to give the 
information on the documents. And the longer they take to come up with 
the information on the documents and get to the bottom of this, the 
harder it's going to be to convince everyone else that they should get 
what they want.
    So this documentation, this information issue, is quite important. I 
will get extensively briefed on it, and we'll see where the other folks 
are on it. But I think the important thing is, Mr. Butler is a 
professional, and he's clearly trying to get information that he 
believes is essential to do his job. And I think the rest of us should 
support that.

North Korea

    Q. First of all, North Korea's long-range missiles development--a 
question to President Clinton. According to Washington Post, according 
to Madam Albright's comment,

[[Page 2368]]

North Korea's long-range missile development is a cause of great 
concern. She says that relations with the North are at a critical point. 
It represented a rather hard-line stance. The American administration, 
in cooperation with our Government, has maintained engagement vis-a-vis 
the North, but in light of these comments, the recent comments, and in 
light of President Clinton's remark that the North must cooperate in the 
efforts to ascertain the nature of the suspected facilities to our 
satisfaction, does this in fact require a change in your stance vis-a-
vis the North?
    President Clinton. Is that a question for me or President Kim?
    Q. That was a question to you, Mr. President.
    President Clinton. I don't see this as a change. I see this as the 
potential for changed circumstances; that is, we have proceeded on the 
assumption that we would be making progress and that North Korea would 
honor the agreed framework as we have honored it and others have. We 
just had a very hopeful development in Japan, for example, where the 
Japanese Government agreed to put in a very large amount of money to 
support the KEDO project, again in furtherance of this agreement we made 
with North Korea.
    So let me say again, I do not want to change policy. I support what 
President Kim is trying to do here. I think it is a wise policy, and I 
hope that the North Koreans will not do anything to force us to change 
policy.

Indonesia

    Q. Mr. President, more than a dozen people have died in Indonesia in 
the last 10 days in clashes between protesters and Indonesian military 
forces. In your view, is President Habibie moving fast enough on 
political and economic reform? And are the Indonesian forces using 
excessive force in confronting the protestors?
    President Clinton. On the second question, I think the candid answer 
is the best. I don't know that I have enough facts at this moment to 
give you the right answer.
    On the first, all I can tell you is that there have been some 
hopeful signs over the last several months and some troubling signs 
coming out of Indonesia. I think if you look at the experience--I'll 
tell you what I hope will happen. If you look at the experience of Korea 
and the terrible difficulties the Korean people have endured, it is a 
profound argument in favor of having a government lead its people 
through tough times with the support of the people, not relying on power 
wielded in a military fashion but relying on the spirit and the support 
of the people.
    And so I think the important thing is that the United States hopes 
very much that there will be no backsliding as we come up into the 
election season in Indonesia, and that every effort will be made to 
minimize any harm to people who are exercising their voices to make 
their political views heard.

North Korea

    Q. President Kim, during your visit to the U.S. in June, President 
Clinton and you, I believe, discussed the easing of economic sanctions 
to the North. Was this issue discussed during today's meeting?
    President Kim. During our meeting today, there was no mention 
regarding the easing of sanctions, but there were some--in the 
discussion I think you can find answers to your question. As of now, 
North Korea, should it continue to engage in troublesome activities, we 
will deal with a firm, resolute attitude. If it responds to our calls 
for peace and cooperation, then we will return that with cooperative 
measures.
    That was the extent to which our discussions went. The suspicion 
over the North Korean suspected underground site, on missiles--if the 
North responds in a cooperative fashion to our requirements in these 
regards, then, of course, we can respond with positive incentives, 
favorable responses. And I think the spirit of such an attitude is quite 
clear in the statement that the two of us made today.
    President Clinton. I know you didn't ask me a question, but I would 
like to say something to support President Kim here.
    Yesterday when we came here, our whole American delegation, 
including all the members of the press, a lot of us went into our rooms, 
and we turned on the television. And what was the picture? The picture 
was the tourist ship going into the North. Right?

[[Page 2369]]

That's what the picture was. To us, this was amazing, and it was a very 
beautiful picture.
    Now, what is the picture in our minds in this press conference? It 
is of some hole in the ground somewhere in North Korea where something 
might or might not be done, which might or might not be threatening to 
us in the future. Now, I ask you--I ask the North Koreans to think about 
this--they have a great opportunity here, an historic opportunity with 
the leadership of President Kim and the position that he has taken. We 
strongly support it. Never, nothing could ever be put into that hole in 
the ground--given our defense partnership here, nothing could ever be 
put in that hole in the ground that would give the North Koreans as much 
advantage, as much power, as much wealth, as much happiness as more of 
those ships going up there full of people from here. I think that is the 
most important message I would like to leave with you today.

Closure on the Impeachment Issue

    Q. Mr. President, you said before that it's up to Congress to decide 
your fate, but you have also said that you want to restore honor to your 
Presidency and bring closure to the Nation. Sir, do you personally 
believe that you should face some kind of punishment and that this 
requires some kind of punishment to bring closure to the Nation, like an 
apology before Congress?
    President Clinton. Well, first of all, again I say, there has been a 
lot of suffering--that is different from punishment, although it's hard 
to see the difference sometimes as you're going through it. For me, this 
long ago ceased to be a political issue or a legal issue and became a 
personal one. And every day I do my best to put it right, personally.
    It is simply not appropriate at this time, in my view, for me to 
comment on what the Congress should do. The American people and Congress 
can--I hope will do the right--I trust the American people, and I hope 
Congress will do the right thing in a nonpolitical way, if you will, to 
get beyond the partisanship and go on.
    I do believe that the long-awaited acknowledgement that there is 
nothing on which to proceed in the travel issue and the file issue and 
Whitewater--which this matter was supposed to be about--is a positive 
thing. I think, surely, it will help us to get this over with. But my 
only concern, as I said, is that we get this behind us and go on with 
the business of the country. But I think the less I say about what 
should happen to me at this point, the better. To me it's--I need to 
focus on the work I came here to do, and others need to make that 
decision.

Note: The President's 166th news conference began at 1:53 p.m. in the 
Press Conference Hall at the Blue House. In his remarks, he referred to 
Richard Butler, executive chairman, United Nations Special Commission 
(UNSCOM); and President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie of Indonesia. 
President Kim referred to Chung Ju-yung, founder and honorary chairman, 
Hyundai Group conglomerate. President Kim spoke in Korean, and his 
remarks were translated by an interpreter.