In its own high level dealings with the North, Washington must be careful not to reinforce the long cherished DPRK view that the U.S., not South Korea, is the only legitimate negotiator on issues of peace and security. For example, the North, even after the historic leaders' summit and mountains of assistance from the South, still insists that any peace treaty officially ending the Korean War be signed between Pyongyang and Washington, not Seoul. Mr. Bush must reaffirm President Clinton's firm assertion that there will be no separate U.S.-DPRK deal when it comes to the issue of peace on the Peninsula. Another important milestone necessary to demonstrate North Korea's commitment to the peace process is fulfillment of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's promise to visit the South this coming spring. Simply put, no U.S. President should visit North Korea until Chairman Kim visits the South and serious North-South security dialogue commences.
China can play a useful role here.
Mr. Bush is scheduled to be in Shanghai in September 2001 for the annual APEC Leaders Meeting. This would provide a good opportunity for Bush and Chairman Kim to meet. It would also be a serious blunder for Mr. Bush to step foot in China without having first visited both South Korea and Japan. Mr. Clinton, in July 1993, made his first Asia visit to Japan and Korea well in advance of that year's inaugural APEC Leaders Meeting in Seattle. Mr. Bush can do no less without sending the wrong signal about America's commitment to its two key Asian allies.