[USFK Forums] Seoul, Washington Clash Over NK Criticism [Korea Times]

[C. Y. Lee]

Uploaded by C. Y. Lee on Wednesday, December 21, 2005

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Seoul, Washington Clash Over NK Criticism

By Seo Dong-shin, Reuben Staines
Staff Reporters, Korea Times

Ban Ki-moon, minister of foreign affairs and trade, Wednesday tried to clear up his position in response to a U.S. top lawmaker’s letter sent to U.S. ambassador here in support of the critical remarks against North Korea.

Earlier this month, U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Alexander Vershbow triggered calls for restraint by the Seoul government, when he dubbed North Korea a ``criminal regime’’ during a forum in Seoul for the Stalinist country’s alleged involvement in large-scale illegal activities such as counterfeiting, money laundering and drug-trafficking.

Ban had mildly reproached the ambassador, saying that wisdom is required of the related countries (of the six-nation talks on North Korea’s nuclear programs) and to refrain from using expressions (unfavorable to) dialogue partners.

Henry Hyde, chairman of the House International Relations Committee, however, sent a letter to the U.S. top envoy in Seoul Tuesday, applauding him for the stern remarks directed at North Korea.``I wish to commend you for your vigorous defense of American values, including democracy and human rights, and for holding to account those who would threaten America’s economic security through the systematic counterfeiting of our national currency,’’ Hyde wrote in the letter.

Hyde also said that Vershbow’s remarks were a needed defense of ``American values,’’ while denouncing both North Korea and, apparently the South.

``Those who would make apologies for such a regime, whose nuclear proliferation, counterfeiting, gross human rights violations, and other illicit activities threaten the security and prosperity of the American people and the entire international community, are no friends of America or her people,’’ Hyde said in the letter.

Foreign Minister Ban remained cautious, saying he does not know at whom or what remarks Hyde’s letter was directed.

``I don’t know what he means by saying that,’’ Ban told reporters in a regular briefing session Wednesday, referring to the expression ``those who would make apologies for such a regime.’’

``What I said was that in the process of the six-nation talks, wisdom is required of participating countries and to hold back sensitive comments that could upset negotiation partners,’’ Ban said.

While praising Vershbow as a great diplomat with a great career and passion for the U.S.-South Korea alliance, Ban said that he does not think it desirable for individuals to make negative comments.

In Hyde’s letter was also a reference to the U.S. role in South Korea’s development until now, saying ``certain nations’’ in the Asia-Pacific rose from poverty to prosperity ``directly due to the protection of the U.S. security umbrella and to the stability provided by a strong American currency.’’

``We must protect both that security and that currency for the benefit of all,’’ the letter said.



saltwall@koreatimes.co.kr

12-21-2005 17:08