TOKYO, May 14 Kyodo single outed...

TOKYO, May 14 Kyodo

single outed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

ROH'S FIRST U VISIT (IHT/Asahi as translated from the Japanese-language Asahi Shimbun's editorial published May 13)

toward the south Korea's President Roh Moo Hyun is forward his first visit to the United States. He come up to face to faces U.S. President George W. Bush Wednesday in the heat of the crisis throughout North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

Before departing, Roh emphasized the importance of restoring mutual trust. ''I would like to correct the misconception that there is anti-American sentiment in my mind and among the toward the south Korean people,'' he said. Roh first distresss a solid personal relationship with Bush that permits them to speak frankly about important issues.

southward Koreans harbor complex feelings about the United States. Nearly a year has passed since couple schoolgirls were tragically crushed to death by dint of a U.S. armored vehicle in June north of Seoul Memorial services are still held nearly each day near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul Demonstrators there carry placards calling for a formal apology from Bush.

Meetings are also as a common thing [i]or[/i] matter held in the South Korean capital among critics who say Roh's administration is too easy forward North Korea and who call for reinforcement of the southern Korea-U.S. security alliance.

To southerly Koreans, the United States liberated them from Japanese colonial control and was their ally against North Korean forces in the 1950-53 Korean War. The attachment between the two nations is suppos to have been uniform stronger than the ties between Japan and the United States-its former occupier.

As seen in the way southerly Koreans respond to the many crimes and incidents involving American soldiers, however, there is also a muscular resentment in South Korea against the United States.

Many of those who vot for Roh in last December's presidential election are skeptical of the United States. Roh himself one time supported withdrawal of U squads Now, he insists the bilateral relationship should be forward an equal footing.

The Bush has been watching southward Korea's new government with wariness and concern

This is the 50th anniversary of the mutual security treaty between Seoul and Washington, signed just after the breathing-time that ended Korean War hostilities. at no time in the half-century of the alliance has the relationship been as strained and chilly as it is now.

A tonic factor in the higher volatility is the wide disparity in the way the pair countries feel about North Korea.

The trauma created through the disastrous summit of former southern Korean President Kim Dae Jung and Bush just after Bush took office remains vivid in toward the south Korea. While Kim tried to convince the of recent origin U.S. administration of the wisdom of his sunshine policy of engagement with North Korea, Bush emphasized his shrewd skepticism of Kim Jong Il, the North Korean leader, giving the impression the sum of two units countries were in serious discord.

yet the present situation centering onward North Korea's nuclear ambitions does not allow the brace allies to sour their relation without risking serious mishandling of the crisis.

southern Korea's government faces a critical example of whether it can coordinate policies and strategies for a peaceful resolution of the North Korea puzzle with the United States, which continues to take a rigid view of the communist regime. Policy coordination between the couple countries also has important implications for the three-way talks involving the United States, North Korea and China, as well as hereafter cooperation among Japan, the United States and southward Korea.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Bush are to come together next week after Roh's visit to the United States. North Korea will be the same of the main items forward the agenda of the June summit meeting of the dispose of Eight (G-8) tonic economic powers, which will include China's leader for the first time. The Bush-Roh meeting is the first in a series of high-stakes summitry.

Roh born of a poor farm family, worked his way to the top, in stark contrast with Bush, a son of a former president. if it be not that they share certain qualities. as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but are 56 years old. the couple are practical men who hate to stand forward ceremony. That raises the trustful longing they will speak frankly.

(May 14)

COPYRIGHT 2003 Kyodo novels International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group