North Korea, however, still denounces the Republic of Korea 13 hours a day in their broadcasting. This is one of the important items that I will raise when I go to China on March 26. I expect the Chinese side will agree with our position that North Korea should not have nuclear weapons, and I think they have much potential influence they can exercise on North Korea. I made it very clear several times that we are not interested in unilaterally absorbing North Korea. Instead we must take time and patience to move closer together.
Instant gratification is out of the question.
Based on this philosophy, we are trying not to provoke North Korea unnecessarily. Japanese Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa has issued the most eloquent apology yet for its World War II occupation of Korea. We have a long, unfortunate history. When the Prime Minister admitted last year that Japan invaded Korea, I think he honestly apologized. I have made it very clear that we don't need any monetary compensation.