Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
South Korean President in United States to Meet with Bush
Aired May 12, 2003 - 05:38 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun is in the United States to meet with President Bush. The dispute with North Korea as well as U.S. troops stationed in South Korea are expected to dominate their discussions. The two leaders meet on Wednesday.
CNN's Seoul bureau chief Sohn Jie-Ae has a preview from there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SOHN JIE-AE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun begins his first ever visit to the United States, the focus is on his initial meeting with U.S. President George Bush.
LEE CHUNG-MIN, YONSEI UNIVERSITY: This is a very important ice breaker. And so the two leaders must have some type of chemistry. If the chemistry is good, if it works, then it will filter down into the working level. But if the chemistry simply is not there, then there will be more problems for the U.S.-ROK relationship.
JIE-AE: This is what some say happened after the first summit between Mr. Bush and Mr. Roh's predecessor, Kim Dae-jung. While Mr. Kim favored engagement with North Korea, his Washington host seemed to think otherwise. Mr. Roh's election last December only solidified the perceived rift between the two allies. But in his two and a half months in office, Mr. Roh has done much to repair relations with Washington.
Ignoring strong opposition from the general public and even from within his own party, Mr. Roh decided to send non-combat troops to support the U.S. in Iraq. And while emphasizing the need for a diplomatic solution to the North's nuclear issue, Mr. Roh has been clear, South Korea will not condone a nuclear North Korea.
But will this be enough?
MIN: Will he, his visit be able to dispel or dilute the ongoing misperception in Washington that, A, President Roh Moo-hyun is a bit anti-American, and B, that although he has provided his political support for the alliance, people beneath him in the government have very contending views.
JIE-AE: Which could be a problem as the two countries sit down to tackle tough issues like the restructuring of the U.S. forces in the South and the specifics of handling North Korea. (on camera): Analysts are cautiously optimistic that the two leaders will have a good meeting. They're the same age and they share similar political backgrounds and styles. But the true test of good chemistry may still be whether this brings about an effective policy towards North Korea.
Sohn Jie-Ae, CNN, Seoul.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired May 12, 2003 - 05:38 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun is in the United States to meet with President Bush. The dispute with North Korea as well as U.S. troops stationed in South Korea are expected to dominate their discussions. The two leaders meet on Wednesday.
CNN's Seoul bureau chief Sohn Jie-Ae has a preview from there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SOHN JIE-AE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun begins his first ever visit to the United States, the focus is on his initial meeting with U.S. President George Bush.
LEE CHUNG-MIN, YONSEI UNIVERSITY: This is a very important ice breaker. And so the two leaders must have some type of chemistry. If the chemistry is good, if it works, then it will filter down into the working level. But if the chemistry simply is not there, then there will be more problems for the U.S.-ROK relationship.
JIE-AE: This is what some say happened after the first summit between Mr. Bush and Mr. Roh's predecessor, Kim Dae-jung. While Mr. Kim favored engagement with North Korea, his Washington host seemed to think otherwise. Mr. Roh's election last December only solidified the perceived rift between the two allies. But in his two and a half months in office, Mr. Roh has done much to repair relations with Washington.
Ignoring strong opposition from the general public and even from within his own party, Mr. Roh decided to send non-combat troops to support the U.S. in Iraq. And while emphasizing the need for a diplomatic solution to the North's nuclear issue, Mr. Roh has been clear, South Korea will not condone a nuclear North Korea.
But will this be enough?
MIN: Will he, his visit be able to dispel or dilute the ongoing misperception in Washington that, A, President Roh Moo-hyun is a bit anti-American, and B, that although he has provided his political support for the alliance, people beneath him in the government have very contending views.
JIE-AE: Which could be a problem as the two countries sit down to tackle tough issues like the restructuring of the U.S. forces in the South and the specifics of handling North Korea. (on camera): Analysts are cautiously optimistic that the two leaders will have a good meeting. They're the same age and they share similar political backgrounds and styles. But the true test of good chemistry may still be whether this brings about an effective policy towards North Korea.
Sohn Jie-Ae, CNN, Seoul.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
