After her historic two-day visit to North Korea, the US Secretary of State, Mrs Madeleine Albright, travelled to the South Korean capital Seoul yesterday. She assured Japan and South Korea that the US would work in parallel with them in developing relations with the communist government in Pyongyang.
"Our unity is crucial if we are to make further gains. It is essential that our three countries carry on these discussions in parallel, that we reinforce each other in terms of making sure that each country's special concerns are met," Mrs Albright told a news conference.
"We will continue to work together closely and to consult carefully. South-North dialogue is essential to peace and stability. I was encouraged to hear while in Pyongyang of Chairman Kim Jong-il's continued backing for this process and hope that it will succeed in improving lives on both sides."
Mrs Albright briefed the South Korean Foreign Minister, Mr Lee Young-binn, and his Japanese counterpart, Mr Yohei Kono, on her talks with North Korea's Kim Jong-il, and held a separate meeting with the South Korean President, Mr Kim Dae-jung.
She responded later to concerns that North Korea has shown itself more eager to cultivate relations with the US than to develop dialogue with the South, initiated when President Kim visited Pyongyang in August.
"The path to more normal relations has not been smooth and we are still much closer to its beginning than the end," she said. "But every step in the right direction is a step towards lasting peace in this region." Asked if President Clinton would go to North Korea soon, she said no decision had yet been taken.