15 November 2000 Missile Program One of Many Issues Between U.S., N. Korea The United States is working with North Korea on a number of issues, including North Korea's missile program, President Clinton said during a November 15 photo opportunity with President Kim Dae-Jung of the Republic of Korea. Following is the White House transcript of the event: Remarks by President Clinton in Photo Opportunity With President Kim Dae-jung of the Republic of Korea Istana Edinburgh Guest House Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam Q: Have any of the leaders asked you about the election results, sir? The President: Just briefly. Q: Did they accept your explanation of what's going on? The President: No, they were just interested in it. I told them it would all be worked out. The process was underway. Q: Mr. President, what exactly are you waiting for from the North Koreans, in terms of commitments on their missile program? What do you need to hear from them? The President: Well, we're working on a number of issues, of which the missile program is one. We're obviously trying to make as much progress as we can, and I'll make an appropriate decision about the trip sometime in the not too distant future. Q: Sir, do you think it would be helpful to bring the South Korean's president with you if you make a trip? The President: Well, I don't -- he just went, and he deserves a lot of credit for doing it. I was actually quite thrilled, as I've told him several times, that the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to him for a lifetime of devotion to peace and human rights, and especially for the breakthrough he's achieved here. So I think he's put this whole business on a different footing. Secretary Albright, as you know, had a very good trip to North Korea. So I think we're going to work together. We've always worked in partnership with South Korea, and we will continue to do so. (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov) Return to the Washington File