PRESIDENT BUSH: It's my honor to welcome our good friend, the
President of South Korea, to Washington, D.C. and the Oval Office, and
now the Rose Garden. I've been really looking forward to this visit.
We've had several phone calls where we've discussed important issues,
and now we've had a chance to discuss important issues face-to-face.
I have found the President to be an easy man to talk to. He
expresses opinions very clearly and it's easy to understand. One thing
is for certain; we will work to have the best possible relations
between our countries, and it's based upon close consultation on a wide
variety of issues. There's no question in my mind we'll have the kind
of personal relationship where we can -- will consult freely to solve
major problems.
We, of course, discussed the need to have a nuclear weapons-free
Korean Peninsula. I assured the President we will continue to work to
achieve a peaceful solution. We're making good progress toward
achieving that peaceful resolution of the issue of the Korean Peninsula
in regards to North Korea.
We talked about other issues. One important issue is to make sure
we continue working closely on economic issues. I have confidence in
regards to the South Korean economy. I believe South Korea will
continue to be an engine for economic growth and vitality. And I look
forward to working with the President to continue to foster very strong
bilateral relations.
So, Mr. President, I'm glad you're here. Welcome.
PRESIDENT ROH: When I left Korea, I had both concerns and hopes in
my mind. Now, after having talked to President Bush, I have gotten rid
of all my concerns, and now I return to Korea only with hopes in my
mind.
In a very short period of time, we have smoothly reached an
agreement. It was not even necessary to tell President Bush all the
logic that I had in mind to convince him before I came here. President
Bush had an accurate idea of what concerned me and what were my hopes.
And I second to what President Bush has just stated.
There is one thing that he didn't mention. We have reached
agreement that the Korea-U.S. alliance have been maintaining its
strength over the past 50 years, and it will become only more stronger
in the coming 50 years, or even more. And I could think of many
achievements that we both obtained from this meeting, but the most
important one of those is the fact that President Bush and I had a very
frank and candid discussion. And apart from our national agenda, we
also built a close, personal friendship.
I would like to rephrase myself. We have reached agreements on
many national agenda issues, but, more importantly, we have become to
trust each other and have confidence in each other.
I would like to reiterate my heartfelt thanks to President Bush and
his aides for providing me with this opportunity. Thank you very
much. (Applause.)