Blair, Roh Agree on Dialogue on DPRK Nuclear Issue

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, July 21, 2003

Blair, Roh Agree on Dialogue on DPRK Nuclear Issue

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun agreed Sunday on the need for dialogue to resolve the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

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British Prime Minister Tony Blair and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun agreed Sunday on the need for dialogue to resolve the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

During a joint news conference held Sunday evening at the South Korean presidential office, the Blue House, the visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Roh Moo-hyun said they hold the DPRK nuclear issue must be "by peaceful and constructive dialogue."

Roh said the situation surrounding the standoff over the nuclear issue was more stable than six months ago and the views ofthe countries involved were converging. he also said describing itas a "crisis" was inappropriate because all sides were working toward dialogue.

However, the two sides also reiterated that Pyongyang's nuclear program "must be verifiably and irreversibly dismantled."

Blair arrived in Seoul this afternoon, and held a 30-minute summit meeting with Roh earlier Sunday.

"Blair and me held candid talks this afternoon, exchanging views on the issue of mutual concern, ranging from the DPRK nuclear issue to the promotion of London-Seoul bilateral ties," introduced Roh at the conference.

"We think we should continually make an effort to pursue a multilateral talks to solve the nuclear issue," he added.

The DPRK nuclear issue erupted last October when the US government said Pyongyang had a clandestine nuclear weapons program. And in this April, China hosted a nuclear talks attended by the DPRK and the United States, which was the first of its kind since the nuclear issue surfaced.

"Since the United Kingdom is the permanent member of the United Nation's Security Council and an important member of the European Union, London and Seoul will work closely to bring a peaceful end to the nuclear issue," said Roh.

Blair praised South Korea's role in solving the nuclear standoff, saying "I think South Korea and Japan are involving" as much as possible the DPRK, the United States and China in the nuclear issue.... "What we must do now is engaging" the DPRK "to multilateral dialogue."

According to Roh Moo-hyun, the two leaders also discussed ways to promote bilateral ties in the culture, science and technology fields as well as cooperation in other international political issue during the "successful meeting."

Blair delivered his invitation to Roh Moo-hyun, asking him to visit Britain as early as possible.

Blair is the first European leader to visit the Asian country since Roh Moo-hyun took office this February. And after attending banquet hosted by Roh, Blair will head for Beijing to start his visit to China later Sunday.

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