News Article (Hums)

The leaders of South Korea and the United States yesterday pledged to work together to end the North Korean nuclear programs through the six-way talks and prevent the reemergence of trade protectionism.

U.S. President Barack Obama telephoned President Lee Myung-Bak for a 15-minute conversation early in the morning to discuss North Korea, the global economy and bilateral alliance, their spokespersons said.

Obama told Lee that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would visit Seoul in February.

"President Obama stressed the importance of coordination through the six-party talks to resolve the North Korean nuclear dispute," Lee`s spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said.

The Obama government is widely expected to push bilateral negotiations with the communist country in parallel with the six-nation mechanism.

"President Lee appreciates the new U.S. administration`s demonstration of a strong resolve with regard to the North Korean nuclear issue," the spokesman added.

Obama`s spokesman described the talk as "warm and substantive."

"The president conveyed his deep commitment to the United States-Republic of Korea alliance. Both presidents expressed their intention to expand cooperation on global issues," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement.

The two leaders also "agreed to work together, including at the G-20 summit in London, to stabilize the global economy, to spur growth, and to get credit markets flowing," he added.

Obama warned against the temptation toward protectionist trade policies, and Lee responded in agreement.

"We should keep in mind the lesson from the Great Depression that a return to protectionism will delay an economic recovery," said Lee.

The Obama administration is expected to request renegotiations on the free trade agreement signed in 2007 between the two countries. The deal has yet to get approval from legislatures of either country. Washington seeks to ensure U.S. cars get a wider access to Korean markets.

Obama said Clinton will visit Seoul in February for consultations on pending issues between the two allies, the Korean presidential spokesman said.

The U.S. leader also said he expects to meet Lee at the G-20 summit in April.

It was the second telephone conversation the two leaders have had. On Nov. 7, Lee congratulated Obama on his election.

what: talking about North Korea nuclear programs
where: at home they called each other and talked
how: with phone
how long: 15 min

why is this important ?
This is important, because south Korea has a lot of danger with this.
Korean war is not finished yet, they're just taking a break.
It's not finished !! Suddenly North Korean might just invade in a moment to Korea.
Therefore America and South Korea really need to discuss about this huge problem and make a decision quickly about this.