DATE=09/30/2002

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-10161

TITLE=EDITORIAL: NORTH KOREA GROUNDBREAKING

INTERNET=Yes

CONTENT=THIS EDITORIAL IS BEING RELEASED FOR USE BY ALL SERVICES.

Anncr: Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government:

Voice: On September 18th, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the beginning of the construction of two railroad lines across the demilitarized zone separating North Korea from South Korea. Transportation links were cut during the Korean War. They could be reopened by the end of the year.

Today, South Korea is a peaceful democratic nation of forty-seven million people. Its vibrant economy is an example of what free people and free institutions can achieve. South Korea's progress stands in stark contrast to North Korea, one of the most closed and oppressed countries in the world. Because of its massive human rights violations and support for terrorism, President George W. Bush cited North Korea, along with Iran and Iraq, as one of the nations forming an axis of evil.

As President Bush said, "South Korean people are free and prosperous. North Korean people are starving and hopeless." North Korea sells ballistic missiles and weapons technology to any nation who will pay. As White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said, "In order to feed its people, it would be helpful if [the North Koreans] reformed their ways. Their current system is a failure, and it has failed its own people more than anybody else."

The U.S. welcomes the building of rail links between the two countries. But as White House spokesman Fleischer said, "real progress with the North depends on full resolution of the security issues on the Korean Peninsula, including the North's possession and pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles."

To resolve these issues, the U.S. is prepared to meet with North Korea. Some day, said President Bush, "we all hope the stability of the peninsula will be built on the reconciliation of the two halves.... Both sides...want to live in freedom and want to live in dignity, without the threat of violence, and famine and war. I hope that one day soon," said President Bush, "this hope will be realized."

Anncr: That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20237, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-ibb-dot-gov-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043.