Today is a new day of hope for the future of the Korean peninsula.
The historic summit between the leaders of South and North Korea represents a bold step toward resolving a half-century of conflict there. I want to congratulate President Kim Dae-jung on his extraordinary achievement and for his patient and wise efforts as he works to achieve our shared objectives of peace and stability. I also want to acknowledge the positive steps Kim Jong-il is taking to move North Korea out of the isolation of the past toward an era of reconciliation with the South. As President Clinton has said, we have consulted very closely with President Kim Dae-Jung, and the United States stands ready to support this process toward lasting peace and full reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula. We will continue to stay in close touch in coming days.