Presidential Spokesperson Lee Dong-kwan made the following remarks in a briefing this afternoon.

President Lee Myung-bak presided over a National Security Council (NSC) meeting this morning from 7:30 to 10:00 at Cheong Wa Dae.

The NSC was convened today to discuss recent major pending issues related to foreign affairs and national security and comprehensive measures to deal with them. The main focus was placed on the shooting death of a tourist at the Geumgansan resort, Japan’s decision to describe its claim to sovereignty over Dokdo in guides for school textbooks and the Six-Party Talks to resolve the North Korean nuclear problem.

At the meeting, President Lee stressed, “We should cope with pending foreign and security issues, including inter-Korean relations, in accordance with a consistent, strategic policy, not swayed by the fragmented aspects of any situation.”

He went on to say emphatically, “We should refrain from taking a bureaucratic attitude or making a response similar to calling the doctor after the patient has died. We need to set up a pan-government control center to respond to crises in a systematic, professional and comprehensive manner. By doing so, we can predict crisis situations and prevent them from happening. If one occurs, an immediate response will be possible through government-wide cooperation.”

In connection with the fatal shooting of a tourist at the Geumgangsan resort, President Lee said, “It is imperative not only to launch a fact-finding investigation but to take exhaustive measures against any recurrence of such an incident.” He continued to remark, “An agreement by the authorities of both the South and North should come first before resuming the suspended Geumgangsan tour.”

In this connection, it was reported in the meeting that there is a urgent need to establish a joint inter-Korean committee in charge of ensuring watertight safety for South Koreans traveling to and from North Korea, including tourists, as well as during their stay in the North.

As of now, the number of South Koreans residing in the North along with tourists to Geumgangsan and Gaeseong city amounts to thousands of people. It was thus pointed out that there is a need to request the permanent stationing of South Korean authorities in the North to protect South Korean tourists or civilians residing there.

In the meantime, participants pointed out that there should be a comprehensive examination into why Hyundai Asan Co. did not take proper safety measures. The company was late in reporting the incident and continued the tour right after the shooting took place.

The NSC also reached an agreement that the Gaeseong tours should be completely reviewed to find out if there are safety concerns for tourists. The U.S. Government has reportedly expressed its support for the Korean Government countermeasures and its intention to cooperate with Seoul.

Concerning the Japanese Government’s recent territorial claim over Dokdo Islets, the President said, “We have to respond to it resolutely. Extemporaneous, one-time excessive responses will not work. We need to cope with it from a strategic, long-range perspective in a meticulous manner.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs reported ways to further promote the fact that Dokdo is effectively Korean territory. He said that it is necessary to investigate how the administrative and legislative branches of major countries describe Dokdo in their publications. If errors are found, the Government will ask for prompt corrections. History research activities should be strengthened through the Northeast Asia History Foundation and other private organizations. In addition, efforts should be stepped up to launch joint history research with China and Japan with the aim of producing a common history textbook.

On the Six-Party Talks in Beijing,President Lee said, “North Korea’s strategy is to make its presumed status as a nuclear power a fait accompli. Ours is to have Pyongyang totally dismantle its nuclear arsenal. We need to be convinced of the North’s commitment to denuclearize. It is imperative to closely coordinate our stance with the other participants in the Six-Party Talks in Beijing.”

Present at the first National Security Council meeting of the incumbent Administration were Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Unification, the Director of the National Intelligence Service, the Presidential Senior Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Security, the Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, the Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, and the Presidential Spokesman.