South Korea's President Roh Moo-hyun will leave for the United States tomorrow for a summit meeting with his American counterpart, George W. Bush, in an attempt to thrash out a joint position on North Korea, as well as repair their alliance, which has been strained in recent months. This is Mr Roh's first trip abroad since his inauguration on February 25 and his first visit to the US. He is likely to avoid the fate of his predecessor, Kim Dae-jung, who, when touting his 'sunshine policy' towards North Korea, was rebuffed by Mr Bush, who voiced deep scepticism about the North's commitment to its agreements. Mr Roh, too, is a supporter of the sunshine policy of engagement with North Korea, although he has dropped the use of the term itself. Initially, he strained the alliance with the US by assuming a position of neutrality in the dispute between America and the North, even offering to mediate between them. However, in recent weeks, he has mended relations with the US, in particular by supporting the war against Iraq. Mr Roh is also likely to enjoy a better rapport than his predecessor with Mr Bush: Both men are 56, while Mr Kim is more than 20 years older. Two years ago, the Bush administration was not interested in dialogue with North Korea. Now, it has started talks in a trilateral format, which includes China. Besides, the US is emphasising the importance of other countries in the region taking part in the dialogue, in particular South Korea and Japan. Aides of both presidents appear intent on avoiding the kind of embarrassment that occurred during Mr Kim's visit. While talking to reporters, differences between Mr Bush and Mr Kim became obvious. This time, no joint press conference is planned, only a joint statement. That is likely to emphasise their common opposition to North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons and their desire for a peaceful resolution to the issue. It is also likely to stress the importance for the US and South Korea of establishing a more mature alliance, with South Korea bearing more responsibility for its own defence. While the meeting will, no doubt, help the two sides better understand each other, a formal response to the proposal made by North Korea during the talks in Beijing last month is unlikely to emerge during the visit. This is because the US hopes to act in concert with Japan and South Korea. Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is due in Washington next week. Shortly after that visit, officials from the three countries will hold a meeting to formulate a joint position. The US position has been marked by differences between the State Department and the Pentagon, with the former emphasising the importance of continued talks with North Korea and the latter advocating increased pressure on the North, through such measures as targeting its legal missile sales and illicit drug trade. Only last month, Australia seized a North Korean freighter with 50kg of heroin aboard. But a consensus is emerging within the US administration that combines a willingness to talk with exerting greater pressure on the North. In the South, too, there now appears to be a greater willingness to accept the idea that more pressure must be put on the North, particularly since North Korea's admission that it possesses nuclear weapons. Even within the ruling party, there is a feeling that rice aid should be withheld until the nuclear issue is resolved. Previously, South Korea's policy was to separate humanitarian and nuclear issues. Still, even though the US and South Korea both emphasise the use of peaceful means, their definitions may differ. The US, for example, is considering asking the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on North Korea. South Korea, however, is opposed to sanctions, as the North has already said such a move would be taken as an act of war. There is an even more serious difference between the two sides. The US periodically toys with the idea of 'regime change' in North Korea. However, the last thing the South wants to see is the collapse of the North, which would saddle it with the responsibility of feeding 22 million hungry people. Frank Ching is a Hong Kong-based journalist and commentator frankching1@aol.com
