Lee expresses hopes for talks with N. Korea

‘Locations of new airport, science belt to be determined within the first half of this year’


President Lee Myung-bak on Sunday expressed hopes for dialogue with North Korea this year, adding there was no need for prior discussions with the U.S. on an inter-Korean summit.

Post-summit consultations with members of the six-nation nuclear talks, however, would be necessary, Lee told reporters during a luncheon just days ahead of the third anniversary of his inauguration.

“I wish that we can have sincere dialogue with the North this year,” Lee said in response to a question on whether he had plans for a summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

“I don’t think we need to confer with the U.S. about this beforehand, although it would be necessary to discuss with the participants of the six-party talks after (the summit).”

There has been speculation that Seoul and Washington may be discussing plans for an inter-Korean summit after a South Korean intelligence chief was found to have secretly met with his U.S. counterparts in Washington earlier this month.

Lee has repeatedly said he was open to a summit with Kim Jong-il as long as Pyongyang showed “a sincere change” from its belligerent attitude.
 

“The South Korean people believe there should be genuine change in our relationship with the North and want a two-track approach of retaliating against (the North’s) provocations while seeking to discuss peace with Pyongyang,” Lee said.

“This year is a good time for North Korea to change so it can improve the livelihoods of its people and maintain peace with the South.”

Lee also expressed compassion for North Korea, mentioning that he could not join in making a mockery of the isolated country during a recent meeting with another head of state.

“South Koreans don’t feel good seeing the world mock North Korea,” he said.

The head of state said he couldn’t understand how a 26-year-old with no military experience could become a general, referring to Kim Jong-il’s youngest son Jong-un, and Lee said he couldn’t readily chime in.

Lee also said Sunday that the locations of a planned new international airport in the southeastern part of the country and a science-business belt will be determined within the first half of this year.

Local administrations in the Gyeongsang provinces, the home turf of the ruling Grand National Party, are engaged in a fierce competition to be selected as the site of the airport.

The airport’s location will be decided after an ongoing study is completed according to the legal procedure, and a committee to be launched by the prime minister under a special law will determine where to build the science-business belt, Lee said.

“There will be no political intervention in the decision-making process,” he said.

Lee was to meet with the leadership of the ruling GNP later Sunday over dinner to request their cooperation on various policy issues.

Lee refused to comment Sunday on whether he planned to formally propose a Constitutional revision to the National Assembly.

By Kim So-hyun (sophie@heraldcorp.com)