Welcome to BASE21

We are deeply concerned about the dangerous ramification of your declaration in the State of the Union address on January 29th that North Korea is a member of an axis of evil, which threatens world peace with weapons of mass destruction. The confrontational tone of your declaration leads us to believe that you do not desire to engage North Korea in constructive dialogue and use diplomacy to resolve issues with that country. We hope we are wrong.

One of the most important US foreign policy achievements during the past decade has been the improvement of relations between the US and the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. The efforts to normalize the relations between the US and the DPRK is highlighted in the Joint Communiqu signed by both sides on October 12, 2000.

The Joint Communiqu explicitly states that Recognizing the changed circumstances on the Korean Peninsula created by the June 15, 2000 inter-Korean summit, the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have decided to take steps to fundamentally improve their bilateral relations in the interests of enhancing peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.
The two sides agreed there are a variety of available means, including Four Party talks, to reduce tension on the Korean Peninsula and formally end the Korean War by replacing the 1953 Armistice Agreement with permanent peace arrangements.

Building on the principles laid out in the June 11, 1993 U.S.-D.P.R.K. Joint Statement and reaffirmed in the October 21, 1994 Agreed Framework, the two sides agreed to work to remove mistrust, build mutual confidence, and maintain an atmosphere in which they can deal constructively with issues of central concern. In this regard, the two sides reaffirmed that their relations should be based on the principles of respect for each other's sovereignty and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and noted the value of regular diplomatic contacts, bilaterally and in broader fora. The two sides agreed to support and encourage international efforts against terrorism.

Mr. President, this Joint Communiqu is a result of years of painstaking efforts made by civilians, government officials and diplomats of the US and South Korea to engage North Korea in constructive dialogue. As our highest public servant and leader, it is your responsibility to make sure the spirit and letter of the Joint Communiqu is carried out. Misplaced confrontation will destroy years of work to reduce tension in the Korean Peninsula and may lead to destabilization of the region. Surely that is not in our national interest.

You will be visiting South Korea on February 19th. We urge you to take the occasion to confirm your commitment to dialogue and diplomacy with North Korea and show your support for Korean people who are working to reunify Korea.

Sincerely,

Haeng Woo Lee
Chairperson
Congress for Korean Reunification