US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held a press conference before her visit to South Korea, Japan, and China. Regarding UN sanctions on North Korea and their implementation, she said she would urge Japan, South Korea, China and Russia during visits this week to “share the burdens as well as the benefits” of forcing North Korea to stop its nuclear weapon program.

Rice will visit Japan, South Korea, China and Russia, and said this trip is an opportunity to reaffirm our reciprocal obligations, adding, “The sanctions against North Korea recently passed by the UN is a new international standard,” that demands all countries to prohibit North Korea’s imports and exports of nuclear materials. “And the US will foster more cooperation with the international community through PSI.”

Regarding an announcement by the South Korean government that said Seoul will continue the tourism business and Gaesung industrial complex project with North Korea she said, “We are now suspecting it because many parts of the business cooperation with North Korea are likely to be related with North Korea’s nuclear program.” She hinted that Washington has a negative stand on the inter-Korean economic cooperation projects.

Amidst concerns that Pyongyang could carry out another nuclear test to prove its nuclear capability, she said, “Such a move would further deepen the isolation of North Korea, and I hope they would not take such a provocative act.” She added that the US is taking a close look at it and discussing it with its allies. She also stressed, “Even though these UN sanctions fail to convert North Korea into a normal nation, Washington has already prepared much stronger tools to make North Korea change directions.” She selected Russia for her last destination during her upcoming trip.

입력시간: 2006. 10.18. 09:46