Kim Dae-Jung

May 5, 1999
Web posted at: 8:09 p.m. EDT (0009 GMT)

ATLANTA (CNN) -- South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung on Wednesday vowed to press a comprehensive engagement policy toward North Korea, saying that "the atmosphere is becoming ripe" for a resumption of dialogue between the two countries.

"In order to realize lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, we must continue to seek a more fundamental and comprehensive approach" to overcoming the Cold War division that exists between the North and South, Kim said in an address to CNN's World Report conference in Atlanta.

Speaking from the Blue House executive mansion in Seoul, Kim expressed hope that the two countries could begin bilateral talks before the end of the year.

"We have no illusions that we will be able to deal with North Korea with good will alone," he said. "However, we will deal with the North in good faith while pursuing a fair and just policy from a practical position."

"We will give to the North what we can and take from it what we deserve," he added.

Kim has made a "sunshine policy" toward the Communist Pyongyang regime a centerpiece of his administration since his election in November 1997. The two Koreas are currently involved in four-party talks with the United States and China to resolve issues still outstanding from the Korean War that divided the peninsula.

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