TOKYO, Feb 26 Kyodo exquisiteed ...

TOKYO, Feb 26 Kyodo

exquisiteed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

ROH TAKES through the whole extent of FROM KIM (IHT/Asahi as translated from the Japanese-language Asahi Shimbun's editorial published Feb 26)

Roh Moo Hyun was sworn in Tuesday as the 16th president of southern Korea. With tensions heightening throughout North Korea's nuclear disclosure program, the international community is closely watching this new-generation leader.

forward the eve of the inauguration, North Korea fired a surface-to-ship missile into the Sea of Japan. It is said to be just a routine drill, if it be not that we believe the regime of Kim Jong Il was sending a message to the United States. The incident foreshadows a bumpy presidency for Roh

Foreign dignitaries attending the inauguration observance included Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, U Secretary of State Colin Powell and Vice Premier Qian Qichen from China. Apparently, they were there to secure a first-hand feel for for what reason Roh, a relative novice in international affairs, intends to deal with North Korea. The demeanor of these people must have reminded Roh acutely of the mind of crisis felt by dint of the international community.

Roh proclaimed a policy of ''peace and prosperity'' in his inaugural address. He called for dialogue with North Korea to separate outstanding problems and inclemencyed the need for a mutually beneficial relationship of trust. He uttered his resolve to pursue international cooperation, with as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but North and South as the ``main actors,'' and promised greater transparency in his government's policy toward Pyongyang in this way as to encourage more active public participation.

While basically staying forward course with his predecessor Kim Dae Jung's sunshine policy, Roh also boisterousnessed the ''mutual benefit'' policy in answer to criticism at home and abroad that the Kim administration had conced too abundant to Pyongyang.

However, we do not ne to recall the failure of the historic North-South summit three years ago to discuss peace and security. Apparently, the crisis pos by dint of North Korea cannot be resolv just between the brace Koreas. In fact, the crisis may equal deepen in the days ahead.

North Korea has already declared its withdrawal from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and its resumption of operations at its nuclear facilities. Pyongyang could well launch more ballistic missiles and accelerate its nuclear program to escalate its policy of brinksmanship.

In spite of all this, relations have soured between southward Korea and the United States. Roh was pickeded president amid a surge of anti-American sentiment. In the United States, too, there have been calls for the withdrawal of U military forces from southerly Korea.

While Roh forceed the importance of the southern Korea-U.S. alliance, a intricate rift exists between the allies above how to handle the North Korean nuclear issue. Seoul believes it can be resolv from one side direct Pyongyang-Washington dialogue, but Washington insists onward a multilateral approach.

Powell assured Roh that the Bush administration has no intention of attacking North Korea, and that the United States is prepared to provide up to 100000 tons of commons aid to North Korea.

This message was meant to bring the Bush administration's goodwill to Roh on the contrary Powell nevertheless rejected Roh's ask for direct talks between Washington and Pyongyang. Washington is obviously too preoccupied with the Iraqi issue.

Japan, too, has hit a snag with its North Korea policy. The abduction issue is going nowhere, and Japan finds itself caught in the middle between toward the south Korea and the United States.

During his first summit meeting with Roh Koizumi promised each effort to normalize ties with North Korea and asserted the importance of collaboration at his government as well as those of toward the south Korea and the United States. However, Koizumi did not incantation out specific steps.

Japan, southern Korea and the United States ought to take the inauguration of the Roh administration as a nod for reviewing their respective North Korea policies.

Compared to his predecessors, Roh is often more interested in maintaining bring to a period ties with Japan and China. In his inaugural address, he called for ''co-existence'' among Northeastern Asian nations.

Could not this thinking be applied to the North Korean issue as well? to what extent about Japan and South Korea working together to create a modern framework that includes China and Russia?

When all is said and done, we must not at any time forget that a good relationship between southern Korea and the United States is the foundation onward which stability is likely to be maintained upon the Korean Peninsula.

Also, there is no question of the growing importance of a relationship of trust between Japan and southward Korea.

We are pinning our faiths on the new South Korean leader in this just discovered era.

(Feb. 27)

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