Cable, Amembassy Seoul 2382 to SecState, May 3, 2000, Subject: President Kim Discusses N-S Summit with Ambassador (Confidential)
National Security Archive
This cable, reporting on a meeting between U.S. ambassador Bosworth and ROK President Kim Dae Jung, again stresses the modest goals Kim held for the upcoming summit, and the need for continued close coordination between Seoul and Washington as preparations for the summit proceeded. (Parts of the dis
Source: Cable, Amembassy Seoul 2382 to SecState, May 3, 2000, Subject: President Kim Discusses N-S Summit with Ambassador (Confidential) Date: May 3, 2000 Collection: Engaging North Korea II: Evidence from the Clinton Administration Dec 8, 2017
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
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APPEALS PANEL ACTION: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELEASED 1.4(B),B1,1.4(D)
Classification Extended on : 11/05/2014 ~ Class: CONFIDENTIAL ~ Authority: DSCG 11-1 Declassify on: 05/02/2025
DEPT FOR U/S PICKERING, C - AMB. SHERMAN AND EAP - A/S ROTH, PDAS DEMING, AMB. KARTMAN AND EAP/K
DEPT PLEASE PASS NSC FOR SENIOR DIRECTOR LIEBERTHAL
E.O. 12958: DECL: (AFTER KOREAN REUNIFICATION) TAGS: PREL, PINR, KS, KN SUBJECT: PRESIDENT KIM DISCUSSES N-S SUMMIT WITH AMBASSADOR
CLASSIFIED BY THE AMBASSADOR. REASONS: 1.5 (B), (D).
- (C) SUMMARY: CALLING ON PRESIDENT KIM MAY 2, THE AMBASSADOR
1.4(B) 1.4(D) B1
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1.4(B) 1.4(D) B1
- (C) KIM SAID HIS GOALS FOR THE SUMMIT WERE "MODEST"; IT WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF A LONG AND ARDUOUS PROCESS WHOSE IMMEDIATE AIM WAS PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE. HE HOPED THAT NORTH KOREA WOULD EVENTUALLY ADOPT MARKET ECONOMY PRINCIPLES AND BE MORE OPEN TO THE WORLD, ALONG THE LINES OF THE PRC AND VIETNAM. UNIFICATION WAS MUCH MORE OF A LONG-TERM GOAL. IN PYONGYANG, HE AIMED TO DISCUSS THE FOUR GENERAL AREAS HE HAD OUTLINED IN BERLIN: ECONOMIC COOPERATION, PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE, DIVIDED FAMILIES, AND THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF NORTH-SOUTH DIALOGUE.
1.4(B) 1.4(D) B1
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
1.4(B) 1.4(D) B1
KIM URGED A CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 SEOUL 02382 01 OF 04 031042Z RAPID RESOLUTION OF THE SOFA REVIEW; ALLOWING IT TO "FESTER" ANY LONGER WOULD BE "DANGEROUS" TO THE HEALTH OF THE ALLIANCE. THE AMBASSADOR URGED CONTINUED ECONOMIC REFORM IN THE ROK. KIM, WHILE NOTING THAT HIS PARTY'S FAILURE TO SECURE A MAJORITY IN THE APRIL 13 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTION HAD COMPLICATED MATTERS, SAID HE INTENDED TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE HIS ECONOMIC, POLITICAL, AND OTHER REFORM AGENDAS. END SUMMARY.
AMBASSADOR: APPRECIATION FOR CLOSE COORDINATION
(c) DURING A CALL ON PRESIDENT KIM DAE-JUNG MAY 2, AMBASSADOR BOSWORTH CONGRATULATED KIM ON THE SUCCESS OF HIS STRONG AND UNWAVERING EFFORTS FOR NORTH-SOUTH DIALOGUE. (THE AMBASSADOR WAS UNACCOMPANIED, AND ONLY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER HWANG WON-TAK JOINED KIM.) THE AMBASSADOR SAID THAT THE USG APRECIATED VERY MUCH THE ESPECIALLY CLOSE COORDINATION BETWEEN OUR TWO GOVERNMENTS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. AS KIM HIMSELF HAD NOTED DURING HIS MEETING WITH DR. PERRY, NEITHER COUNTRY ALONE COULD MOVE NORTH KOREA, BUT WORKING TOGETHER WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO SO.
(c) THE AMBASSADOR SAID THAT THE NORTH-SOUTH SUMMIT OPENED UP GREAT NEW POSSIBILITIES.\
1.4(D) B1
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
KIM: PRAISE FOR U.S. ROLE, COORDINATION STRESSED 8. (C) KIM SAID HE AGREED COMPLETELY. HE SPOKE AT LENGTH IN PRAISE OF THE EFFORTS OF DR. PERRY, COUNSELOR SHERMAN, AND AMBASSADOR BOSWORTH,
1.4(B) 1.4(D) B1
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DEPT FOR U/S PICKERING, C - AMB. SHERMAN AND EAP - A/S ROTH, PDAS DEMING, AMB. KARTMAN AND EAP/K
DEPT PLEASE PASS NSC FOR SENIOR DIRECTOR LIEBERTHAL
E.O. 12958: DECL: (AFTER KOREAN REUNIFICATION) TAGS: PREL, PINR, KS, KN SUBJECT: PRESIDENT KIM DISCUSSES N-S SUMMIT WITH AMBASSADOR
1.4(B) 1.4(D) B1
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PAGE 02 SEOUL 02382 02 OF 04 031042Z 10. (C) KIM REITERATED HIS APPRECIATION FOR USG EXPRESSIONS OF SUPPORT FOR THE SUMMIT AND HIS AGREEMENT WITH THE STRESS ON THE NEED FOR CLOSE COORDINATION. HE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE NORTH-SOUTH DIALOGUE WOULD ENCOUNTER MANY PROBLEMS AND WOULD TAKE A LONG TIME.
1.4(B) 1.4(D) B1
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
1.4(B) 1.4(D) B1
KIM: SUMMIT GOALS "MODEST" 12. (C) AFTER FIFTY YEARS OF DIVISION, KIM SAID, IT WAS THE SIMPLE FACT OF THE UPCOMING NORTH-SOUTH SUMMIT THAT WAS OF MOST IMPORTANCE. HE DID NOT HAVE GREAT EXPECTATIONS OF THE MEETING; HIS GOALS WERE MODEST. HE WOULD DEAL WITH PROBLEMS AS THEY AROSE. KIM ALSO NOTED HIS MEETING LAST WEEK WITH ROK MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER LEE HOI-CHANG, AT WHICH THE TWO HAD AGREED TO COOPERATE ON NORTH-SOUTH ISSUES.
KIM: AGENDA OUTLINED IN BERLIN DECLARATION 13. (C) REGARDING THE SUMMIT AGENDA, KIM SAID HE HOPED TO CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 SEOUL 02382 02 OF 04 031042Z TALK ABOUT THE FOUR GENERAL AREAS HE HAD OUTLINED IN THE BERLIN DECLARATION: ECONOMIC COOPERATION, PEACEFUL CO- EXISTENCE, SEPARATED FAMILIES, AND THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF NORTH-SOUTH DIALOGUE.
1.4(B) 1.4(D) B1
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
- (C) KIM REITERATED THAT HE HIGHLY VALUED U.S.-ROK
COOPERATION. THE AMBASSADOR SHOULD ALWAYS FEEL FREE TO CALL
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PAGE 04 SEOUL 02382 02 OF 04 031042Z ON HIM AND TO OFFER HIS ADVICE. THE SUCCESS OF ONE COUNTRY IN ENGAGING NORTH KOREA WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS OF ALL OTHERS. IMPROVEMENT IN ONE COUNTRY'S RELATIONS WITH THE NORTH WOULD FACILITATE THE IMPROVEMENT OF OTHER COUNTRIES' TIES WITH THE NORTH. THERE WAS A SYNERGY IN THE PROCESS. OVER TIME, KIM SAID, OUR OBJECTIVE WAS TO HAVE NORTH KOREA BECOME "ANOTHER PRC OR ANOTHER VIETNAM" (IN TERMS OF ADOPTING FREE MARKET PRINCIPLES AND BECOMING MORE OPEN TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD).
KIM: IMMEDIATE AIM OF CO-EXISTENCE
- (C) ASKED ABOUT THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO NORTH-SOUTH DIALOGUE, KIM RECALLED THAT ALL OF THE COUNTRIES IN THE REGION HAD SUPPORTED HIS BERLIN DECLARATION AND THE SUMMIT AGREEMENT. THE U.S., JAPAN, THE PRC, AND RUSSIA ALL SHARED AN INTEREST ON PEACE ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA. WHILE THEY MIGHT HAVE DIFFERENT
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DEPT FOR U/S PICKERING, C - AMB. SHERMAN AND EAP - A/S ROTH, PDAS DEMING, AMB. KARTMAN AND EAP/K
DEPT PLEASE PASS NSC FOR SENIOR DIRECTOR LIEBERTHAL
E.O. 12958: DECL: (AFTER KOREAN REUNIFICATION) TAGS: PREL, PINR, KS, KN SUBJECT: PRESIDENT KIM DISCUSSES N-S SUMMIT WITH AMBASSADOR
PERSPECTIVES ABOUT UNIFICATION, UNIFICATION WAS ONLY A LONG-TERM GOAL OF THE ROK. IT WOULD NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL LONG AFTER HE HIMSELF HAD LEFT OFFICE. NOW HE WAS JUST LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR UNIFICATION, WITH THE IMMEDIATE AIM BEING PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE.
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
1.4(B) 1.4(D) B1
- (C) THE AMBASSADOR EXPRESSED APPRECIATION FOR KIM'S WILLINGNESS TO RECEIVE COUNSELOR SHERMAN. KIM RESPONDED THAT NO THANKS WERE NEED. COUNSELOR SHERMAN LED THE USG INTERAGENCY ON KOREAN PENINSULA ISSUES AND IT WAS ONLY NATURAL THAT HE SHOULD SEE HER.
1.4(B) 1.4(D) B1
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
1.4(B) 1.4(D) B1
KIM: SOFA REVIEW NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED SOON
(S) SECOND, KIM SAID THAT THE ISSUE OF THE SOFA REVIEW HAD GONE ON TOO LONG AND HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO FESTER. IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE HEALTH OF THE RELATIONSHIP THAT WE MOVE TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. ANY FURTHER DELAY, KIM SAID, WOULD BE "DANGEROUS."
(S) THE AMBASSADOR REPLIED THAT THE NEW USFK CINC, GENERAL SCHWARTZ, AND HE HAD AGREED EARLY THIS YEAR ON THE NEED TO LOOK AGAIN AT THE ISSUE FROM A CREATIVE AND FLEXIBLE POINT OF VIEW. AS A RESULT, THE AMBASSADOR CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 SEOUL 02382 03 OF 04 031042Z EXPECTED TO BE ABLE, IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO, TO PRESENT A NEW PROPOSAL FOR THE ROKG TO CONSIDER.
1.4(B) 1.4(D) B1
THE AMBASSADOR SAID HE AGREED ON THE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE ISSUE. IT WOULD, HOWEVER, BE IMPORTANT FOR SENIOR OFFICIALS ON BOTH SIDES TO MONITOR THE TALKS AND INTERVENE AS WARRANTED TO ENSURE A MUTUALLY SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION.
AMBASSADOR: CONTINUED ROK ECONOMIC REFORM NEEDED
- (S) TURNING TO THE ECONOMY, THE AMBASSADOR NOTED THAT THE ROK HAD MADE MAJOR PROGRESS IN ECONOMIC REFORM AND RESTRUCTURING UNDER PRESIDENT KIM'S LEADERSHIP, AND THAT THE ECONOMY HAD RECOVERED STRONGLY. HOWEVER, THE CONDITIONS FOR THE KOREAN ECONOMY HAD BEEN PARTICULARLY FAVORABLE LAST CONFIDENTIAL
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UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
DEPT PLEASE PASS NSC FOR SENIOR DIRECTOR LIEBERTHAL
E.O. 12958: DECL: (AFTER KOREAN REUNIFICATION) TAGS: PREL, PINR, KS, KN SUBJECT: PRESIDENT KIM DISCUSSES N-S SUMMIT WITH AMBASSADOR
YEAR. THE JAPANESE YEN WAS STRONG; INTERNATIONAL INTEREST RATES WERE LOW; AND THE U.S. ECONOMY BOOMING. THOSE FAVORABLE CONDITIONS COULD NOT CONTINUE INDEFINITELY. IT WAS, THEREFORE, CRUCIAL THAT THE ROK MAINTAIN MOMENTUM ON REFORM AND RESTRUCTURING. CONTINUED PROGRESS WOULD BE KEY TO MAINTAINING INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE IN THE KOREAN ECONOMY.
KIM: REFORM TO CONTINUE BUT POLITICS COMPLICATED CONFIDENTIAL
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(C) KIM SAID HE UNDERSTOOD, AND HIS COMMITMENT TO REFORM AND RESTRUCTURING REMAINED STRONG. HOWEVER, HIS MILLENIUM DEMOCRATIC PARTY DID NOT OBTAIN A MAJORITY IN THE APRIL 13 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTION, ALTHOUGH IT HAD INCREASED THE NUMBER OF ITS SEATS IN THE ASSEMBLY AND EXPANDED ITS PRESENCE INTO MORE REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY. MORE IMPORTANTLY, 83% OF KOREANS BELIEVED THAT THE POLITICAL OPPOSITION SHOULD COOPERATE WITH THE ADMINISTRATION ON POLICY MATTERS. THUS, HE HAD BEEN HAPPY TO MEET OPPOSITION LEADER LEE HOI-CHANG LAST WEEK AND TO WORK OUT AGREEMENTS WITH HIM ON POLICY COOPERATION. KIM COMMENTED THAT HE WAS NOT TOTALLY OPTIMISTIC THAT THEIR AGREEMENTS WOULD BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED BUT HE WOULD PROCEED IN GOOD FAITH.
(C) THE AMBASSADOR NOTED THAT HE HAD JUST HAPPENED TO HAVE LUNCH WITH LEE HOI-CHANG THAT DAY. LEE HAD SAID THAT COOPERATION BETWEEN HIM AND THE PRESIDENT ON BOTH ECONOMIC REFORM AND SOUTH-NORTH DIALOGUE WAS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COUNTRY.
(C) THE AMBASSADOR CONCLUDED BY EXPRESSING AGAIN HIS APPRECIATION FOR THE CLOSE CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION OF PRESIDENT KIM'S MINISTERS. HE NOTED THAT CANDOR WAS INVALUABLE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF OUR ALLIANCE. KIM RESPONDED THAT HE WAS PLEASED TO MEET THE AMBASSADOR, AND HE AGAIN INVITED THE AMBASSADOR TO CALL ON HIS MINISTERS AND ON THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF WHENEVER HE WISHED.
BOSWORTH CONFIDENTIAL
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UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
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UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-13304 Doc No. C05635984 Date: 07/10/2017
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