20 February 2002

Bush Reaffirms Alliance Between U.S., South Korea

President Bush stressed the importance of democracy and reaffirmed the strength of the U.S. alliance with South Korea in an exchange of toasts with that country's leader February 20.

"'Democracy is the absolute value that makes for human dignity, as well as the only road to sustain economic development and social justice,'" Bush said, quoting from South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung's Nobel Peace Prize lecture.

Referring to the war on terrorism, Bush said the American people thanked President Kim and the Korean people "for the sympathy and support you have given our nation during these past difficult months."

Bush said America was grateful for "a half-century of friendship" between the two nations "that has now matured into a great alliance for liberty."

Following is the White House transcript of the exchange of toasts between President Bush and South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung:

President Kim Dae-jung: Mr. President, Mrs. Bush, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to once again extend my warmest welcome to you, Mr. President and Mrs. Bush, on your first ever visit to Korea. The entire nation is just thrilled to have the President of the United States and the First Lady here with us, our closest ally and dearest friend.

Mr. President, this is our third meeting. Mr. President, it is with fondness that I recall our previous two meetings which happened in March and October of last year, both in Washington and Shanghai, respectively, where we were able to share our thoughts and have meaningful conversations that meant a lot to both of us.

In particular, Mr. President, the tragedy of September 11th has brought out the very best in you, Mr. President. It just re-enforced your remarkable leadership. You have rallied the people behind you. You have demonstrated outstanding leadership. You have also won unprecedented support from the entire international community.

Also, in the military campaign in Afghanistan, you reaped a swift and spectacular victory. And for this, Mr. President, I offer you my heartfelt respect and congratulations. Mr. President, at the moment you are carrying out what will surely be remembered in history as one of those defining moments, as you are carrying out an important role to ensure global peace and security.

You are also pushing for various economic recovery, as well as educational reforms, among other domestic agendas. And, Mr. President, you have also given your full support and cooperation to the maintenance of the Korea-U.S. alliance, and towards the development of the bilateral cooperative relationship, as well as to the promotion of peace here on the Peninsula, and for the progress of inter-Korean relationship.

Mr. President, I am certain that your visit this time to Korea will serve as a great opportunity not only for further solidifying the Korea-U.S. friendship, but also for the realization of peace here on the Korean Peninsula.

Mr. President, this year marks the 120th anniversary of formal diplomatic ties between our two countries. And as they say, Mr. President, friends and wine -- the older the better. And in this spirit -- (laughter) -- the time-honored friendly and cooperative relations of Korea and the United States will further mature in the 21st century.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, please join me now in a toast to the health and well-being and happiness of Mr. President and Mrs. Laura Bush, and for the everlasting friendship between Korea and the United States.

(A toast is offered.) (Applause.)

President Bush: Mr. President, Madam First Lady, thank you all so very much for your such generous hospitality. Laura and I are honored to be here.

I'm told that in Korea the color blue stands for elegance and dignity. Through your hospitality, Mr. President, these qualities are in abundance tonight.

Earlier today, President Kim and I traveled to the Demilitarized Zone and saw the line where freedom begins and ends. I was reminded there of the tremendous sacrifices paid by both South Koreans and Americans in defending that line. I met with men and women from both our nations who defend that line today on behalf of everybody in this room. As always, their enthusiasm and dedication to duty and freedom and country was inspiring.

At the DMZ, President Kim and I also saw the railway and the road that symbolize our common hopes that families and commerce, culture and ideas may one day travel freely throughout the Peninsula. President Kim has offered the North a better way. He has offered them a vision of reconciliation over rivalry. He has offered them the chance to fulfill new hopes instead of feeding old suspicions. For the sake of all Koreans, I hope -- and the American people hope -- that the North does not miss this chance.

Mr. President, by your unyielding love for liberty, you have written on the pages of history a story of uncommon courage and determination. Sustained by your strong faith, you endured hardships that most can hardly imagine, all for a simple idea -- the idea that freedom belongs to every person, not just every Korea or every American, but every Asian and every person on this planet.

As you said in your Nobel lecture, and I quote -- "Democracy is the absolute value that makes for human dignity, as well as the only road to sustain economic development and social justice."

President Kim, Laura and I thank you for your friendship and your warm hospitality, and the world thanks you for your leadership and your vision. The American people thank you and the Korean people for the sympathy and support you have given our nation during these past difficult months. And most of all, my country thanks South Korea for a half-century of friendship -- a friendship that has brought great benefit to both our peoples; a friendship that has now matured into a great alliance for liberty.

My toast tonight is that, may God continue to bless Korea and America.

(A toast is offered.) (Applause.)