S. Korean president calls for increased cooperation with U.S.

By Byun Duk-kun
WASHINGTON, June 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on
Wedenesday stressed the need for his country and the United States to work
closely, saying a strong alliance will help them better address international
issues such as the global financial crisis and the North Korean nuclear dispute.
Lee's comment comes one day after he and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama agreed
in summit talks to expand their countries' relationship into a comprehensive,
strategic partnership that will help deal with a wide range of issues, including
those related to security and the economy.
"During the Korean War, some 33,000 youths of America sacrificed their lives to
defend a country they never knew and they never met," the president said while
speaking to some 300 students at George Washington University about the
Korea-U.S. alliance.
"The international community's support, including that of the United States, was
an important factor that made possible Korea's miraculous development," he added.
The speech was delivered shortly after Lee received an honorary doctorate degree
in public service from the U.S. university. The South Korean leader arrived here
Monday for a three-day visit.
Lee said Seoul and Washington will closely cooperate in dealing with threats from
North Korea under their half-century-old military alliance, but said they will
also work together in addressing various other issues, most urgently climate
change.
"Addressing climate change issues is an urgent task the world can no longer
avoid. It is a task that requires efforts of not only advanced countries, but
also developing nations," Lee said.
He also called for Seoul and Washington's joint leadership in fighting the global
recession, saying increased bilateral trade and a joint effort to fight
protectionism will spur a worldwide movement toward free trade.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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