Madeleine Albright Press Conference
November 10, 2002  2:00 p.m.
Sapphire Room, 5th floor - J.W.Marriot Hotel

Hello. I have a brief thing to say: I believe that this meeting is an important part of the long-term effort of democratic countries to help each other, especially in the times of need. I’m grateful to South Korea and the organizations who organized this conference and those participating in making this conference possible.

Q: Cancellation. Relationships between USA and South Korea:

A: It is essential for North Korea to dismantle their nuclear program, now that they have admitted they have nuclear weapons. I hope that some of the work we did when having the dialogue in cooperation with South Korea and Japan can resume. They (North Korea) must dismantle their nuclear program.

Q: As highest ranking bureaucrat to come to South Korea, what do you think are the current views towards North Korea?

A: I can’t speak for the American Government, but I would like the work from the end of Clinton’s Administration to be pursued. I understand it is a difficult time, because of admittance of North Korea having a nuclear program.

Q: Before you mentioned that North Korea needs to get rid of their nuclear program. But North Korea believe they need to have non-aggression and non-intervention dialogues (with the United States specifically) first before North Korea can begin to disassemble their nuclear program.

A: These dialogues are important, especially the “no hostile intent” dialogue. This is an  important message. But it can’t be forgotten that while we (the United States) were having the discussion on improving relationships that they (North Korea) were hiding nuclear weapons that were against the very design of the discussions taking place. I think that it is important to remember history (and what happens when) any agreement is signed  after a period of great danger. North Korea agreed to freeze their nuclear program. And also, I am very glad that we signed this agreement: it did freeze fuel rods, and if they had not been frozen, more nuclear weapons may have been produced. So there were advantages to the 1990/1994 agreements. But I keep turning back to the agreement  that North Korea agreed to and is now violating.

Q: Currently the U.S.A is taking a different approach towards both Iraq and North Korea. Can you tell us the differences between these approaches.

A: Well, I think that they… well, it is hard to speak on behalf of the current Administration…  they believe that a diplomatic approach with North Korea will be more effective. In their (the current Administration’s) own minds, Iran and Iraq are a part of the “axis of evil”, but they (Iran and Iraq) have different problems, and should be treated differently.

I must say that I am glad they (the United States) have decided to deal with the North Korean problem through diplomatic means.

Q: After meeting with Kim Jung Il can you please comment on what kind of man he is and why you think North Korea openly admitted the development of a nuclear program.

A: (Regarding Ms. Albright’s trip to North Korea:) I was building on President Kim Dae Jung’s visit, and he let us know he (Jong Il) wasn’t crazy. I found as President Kim Dae Jung had, that it was possible to have a complete and interesting conversation with Kim Jong Il. But he clearly is a dictator who controls everything in the country. I was only allowed to see what he wanted me to see, but it is clear by the reports and media that the mass majority of North Koreans are in a very bad state, even starving. Let me add that, along with Kim Dae Jung, we knew the situation (in North Korea) couldn’t stay at the status quo, and it was worth it to make some agreements with North Korea. So, nobody was naïve. We were all aware that it (North Korea) was the last vestige of the Cold War, and that Kim Jong Il was a tough dictator.

Q: It is the view of many that under the original Geneva agreement, it was the U.S who originally broke this agreement by not delivering the promised regular shipments of crude oil to North Korea. 

A: Well, I think there had been pretty regular shipments of the oil. Nobody should be blaming the United States, South Korea, or Japan. There is no one to blame, since it was Kim Jong Il who broke the agreement by building a nuclear program.

Q: Currently during the off-season elections, the Republican Party holds the majority of the seats (in Congress). Do you feel that their aggressive policies will continue or escalate? 

A: Well, it is very hard to predict that. It is clear that the Republicans who are the conservative members in Congress always objected to the framework (of the relationship between the United States and Korea) and my visit to Pyeongyang. Those who will prevail are those who want it to prevail. Obviously, complete Republican control makes it difficult to see how that foreign policy would not be supported in Congress. 

I would like to say that it is a big mistake that Kim Jung Il decided to build a nuclear program, despite the agreements signed. It is useful to have dialogue with him. I also want the United States, South Korea, and Japan to continue to work together to bring peace to the Korea Peninsula and bring peace to both sides of the Demilitarized Zone.

Thank you very much.