What we have is North Korea still pursuing path to a nuclear weapon state. So the majority of people’s trust in North Korea has gone down considerably.
Yes, I don’t believe that the inter-Korean relationship has, quote, ‘deteriorated’ since I assumed office. Rather I believe that the relationship between the two Koreas is entering into a new phase – a time of transition. And so I think that the North Koreans are trying to see what they can build with this, with my new administration.
I know that throughout their history, the people of the United States defended their freedom, their liberty, their justice, and their rights – if need be – with their lives. I think their courage is so admirable.
Including myself, the majority of the Korean people believe in this staunch alliance between Korea and the United States and all of us hope that our traditional alliance will be further strengthened in the future.
I think within Japan there is talk about how there is the need to reassess the future of the U.S.-Japan alliance.
The Nuclear Security Summit was President Obama’s initiative born out of his vision to leave behind a safer, more prosperous world for the future generation.