Bill Clinton: “Well, I think that that is a matter for the Korean people themselves to decide. And we will obviously support the…”

“Well, I think that that is a matter for the Korean people themselves to decide. And we will obviously support the decision that they make. I have to tell you that my hopes for an early reintegration have been dampened somewhat by the recent controversy over whether North Korea would withdraw from the NPT regime, not allow the international inspectors to continue to inspect the sites to ensure that North Korea does not become a nuclear power. That would be a very grave development, not just for South Korea but for Japan as well and for all of Asia. I think the most important thing I can do as President to speed the day of reunification on terms that are humane and decent and honorable is to maintain a strong presence in the area, to honor our security commitments, and to do everything I can to deter the development of nuclear potential in North Korea. These two nations should unite again based on shared culture and family ties and common economic interests and a common interest in a peaceful future, not trying to be a nuclear power at a time when Russia and the United States, for example, are trying to reduce their nuclear arsenals. We need fewer nuclear weapons, not more. That's one reason I announced that we would not resume nuclear testing a few days ago, in the hopes that we could, together with the other nuclear powers, continue to discourage the de- velopment of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.”