Lee underscores commitment to eventual Korean unification.

WASHINGTON (Itar-Tass) - South Korean President Lee
Myung-bak addressed to a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Thursday to
highlight the free-trade deal with the United States and underscore
commitment to eventual Korean unification.
"I recognize the reality that Korea has been split in two. But I will
never accept it as a permanent condition. We are one people," he said.
Lee also said that a unified Korea will be "a friend to all and a
threat to none" and stressed the need for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.
"North Korea must give up their nuclear ambitions," he said.
The president said Seoul and Washington are united in dealing with
North Korea.
"We are in full agreement that we must also pursue dialogue with North
Korea. However, we must also maintain our principled approach. A North
Korea policy that is firmly rooted upon such principles is the key that
will allow us to ultimately and fundamentally resolve the issue," he said.
Lee insisted the North should first give up nuclear programs and only
then large-scale aid and inter-Korean cooperation can resume.
Speaking hours after a summit with U.S. President Barack Obama Lee
described the approved free-trade deal as a milestone in relations between
the two countries.
"This agreement is a major step toward future growth and job creation.
It is a win for our corporations. It is a win for our workers. It is a win
for small businesses. And it is a win for all the innovators on both sides
of the Pacific," he said.