I would like to join the people of the Republic of Korea in extending our warmest welcome to President Obama. We know how much he appreciates Korean and Asian cultures and we are delighted to welcome him on his first visit to Korea. I believe that President Obama''s global leadership, based on mutual interests and mutual respect, will help bring new changes to the United States and better serve peace and prosperity throughout the world.

Having held three summit meetings with him and having met many times in various multilateral settings over the past ten months, I can say we have indeed become very close friends. Our discussions today have been particularly in-depth and fruitful.

We shared the view that the relationship between our two countries stands stronger than ever, and we agreed to consult on specific ways to continue moving such relationship forward.

[ ROK-U.S. Alliance ]

First of all, President Obama and I reaffirmed the solid ROK-U.S. defense posture including extended deterrence.  We also agreed to further develop our partnership into an exemplary strategic alliance of the 21st century by faithfully implementing the "Joint Vision for the Alliance" adopted at our last meeting in June.

As part of these efforts, we agreed to have our foreign and defense ministers to meet and discuss specific ways to develop our alliance to the future sometime next year which marks 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.

[ North Korea & Nuclear Issue ]

President Obama and I expressed our shared satisfaction that Korea and the United States are working more closely together than ever before with respect to our approach vis-a-vis North Korea and its nuclear issue. We also reaffirmed our commitment to the complete and verifiable denuclearization of North Korea through the Six Party Talks.

 
We fully shared the view that the North Korean nuclear issue requires a definite and comprehensive resolution, as I described "Grand Bargain", and agreed to closely consult on how to elaborate and implement this approach.

It is my hope that North Korea would accept our proposal so that we can usher in a new era in which North Korea can be assured of its security, and its people can enjoy real improvements in their quality of lives.

We agreed to work closely together with the other countries in the six-party process to bring North Korea back to Six Party Talks at an early date and make sure that North Korea takes substantive measures towards its denuclearization.

Moreover, we noted our shared concern for North Korea-related humanitarian issues and agreed to work together to bring improvements in this area.

[ KORUS FTA ]

Meanwhile, President Obama and I reaffirmed the economic and strategic importance of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA).  We committed to work together to move the agreement forward.

[ G-20 Summit Meeting and Global Issues ]

Noting with satisfaction the achievements of the G-20 Summit meeting in Pittsburgh, President Obama and I agreed to continue cooperating on implementing a framework for ensuring a strong, sustainable and balanced growth. We also agreed to work together to ensure the success of next November''s G-20 Summit in Korea.

At the same time, we shared the view that such global challenges as climate change, green growth, non-proliferation and counter-terrorism, warrant a collective response.  In particular, I would like to commend President Obama''s endeavor towards a "world without nuclear weapons." In this respect, the Republic of Korea intends to participate in and do its part to ensure the success of next April''s ''Nuclear Security Summit.''

[ Closing ]

I am very pleased that we were able to have candid discussions on important issues that confront us and to produce fruitful outcomes. I wish to congratulate President Obama on the successful conclusion of his trip to Asia.

Let me once again join the Korean people in expressing to President Obama and his delegation our warmest sentiments of friendship.  Thank you.