U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2008)

The White House

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 31, 2008

Interview of the President by Jei Choon Yun, KBS TV, Korea

July 30, 2008

2:15 P.M. EDT

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

Q: Will North Korea give up their nuclear weapons ultimately?

THE PRESIDENT: Do I think they will? That's the question. That's the fundamental question. And I can't answer that for you. I know that it's good to put a process in place that gives them a chance to, in return for a different relationship with all of us. In the past it was, okay, we'll give you something, North Korea, and hope you respond. What's changed is, you must honor your agreement and then you can have a better relation.

And there's a lot -- North Korea is the most sanctioned nation in the world. And we've agreed to take them off just one aspect of many of the other restrictions placed on them, if they perform. And so, to answer your question, I hope they give up their weapons programs. It will be good for the North Korean people if they do. There will be a different relationship between the United States and all the parties involved if the leader makes that choice. But it's his choice to make. We've made our choice -- South Korea and the United States, China, Japan and Russia have made our choice.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

END

2:24 P.M. EDT