hankyoreh

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said Tuesday that an inter-Korean summit would be difficult without the settlement of the North Korean nuclear weapons problem.

"Even if I try to hold a summit with North Korea, it will be difficult for the time being," the president said in a joint interview with Seoul-based Internet media.

"The foremost things are the settlement of the North Korean nuclear weapons problem and the normalization of inter-Korean relations. Without the settlement of these two issues, inter-Korean relations may not stand a chance of improving," said the president.

Roh then stressed that he doesn't think the time is right for an inter-Korean summit.

"Even if I meet (with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il) now, we may have little to discuss under the current circumstances."

The president said he is convinced that North Korea will take the road toward reform.

"There is no other choice but opening and reform for North Korea."

Roh speculated that the North may give up its nuclear ambition if the communist state is given security guarantees and is also convinced that the other members of the six-party talks want a peaceful coexistence with North Korea.

"North Korea could have developed nuclear arms in order to defend itself against outside threats. But the North may give up its nuclear weapons depending on the attitudes of South Korea and the United States."

He noted it will be important to have Pyongyang believe it can profit from abandoning its nuclear program. "Spring will inevitably come in global history... despite some cold air now," he said, comparing the settlement of the nuclear problem to the onset of spring.

At the end of his two-and-half-an-hour interview, the president again said that he doesn't think North Korea would use its nuclear weapons against South Korea.

"North Korea has no reason to launch any preemptive attack (on South Korea) unless it is attacked first. Only the people with mental problems believe in the possibility of a preemptive attack by the North."

Turning to the ongoing free trade talks with the U.S., Roh said sealing the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) will be a golden opportunity for South Korea to take a giant leap forward in the global marketplace.

The president said an FTA between Seoul and Washington will not lead to the Americanization or polarization of Korean society.

"We'll gradually increase our voice in relations with the U.S. even after the conclusion of FTA (talks)," the president said.

The president stressed that his government is determined to open the country's corporate service market, such as research and development and legal services, to foreign competition.

"Our weakness in the corporate service sector will be aided by the U.S., and South Korea will surely grow into an Asian leader in corporate service and solve its unemployment problem."

"If Japan, for instance, pushes for an FTA with the U.S. ahead of South Korea, we'll fall into a serious crisis. It's a golden opportunity for us to advance in the global marketplace. We're qualified enough to overcome shocks from the market's opening," said the president.

Regarding his controversial proposal for constitutional revision to change the nation's presidential tenure to the U.S. model, Roh said his constitutional revision proposal has not been favorably accepted by the people, just because of his low approval rating.

"I find a lot of communication problems between myself and the people. I have unsuccessfully tried to increase the people's support. I'll do my best to serve the people in accordance with my convictions from now on," said the president.

Seoul, Feb. 27 (Yonhap News)