A U.S. Bid for Settlement, Ties With N. Korea Reportedly OKd by Seoul

The Clinton Administration has won private backing from the South Korean government for a comprehensive settlement between the United States and North Korea that eventually could include diplomatic relations, a lifting of economic sanctions and a formal peace treaty ending the Korean War, a knowledgeable U.S. official said Tuesday.

But the totalitarian regime of President Kim Il Sung would obtain these broad benefits only if it abandoned its nuclear weapons program and opened the way for international inspection of its nuclear facilities.

“The dominant view (in South Korea) now is to encourage us (the United States) to think of a creative solution,” said the U.S. official, who has direct knowledge of private talks between the United States and North Korea. “They realize that (Korean) reunification is likely to be less chaotic if they try to reduce North Korea’s isolation. That will improve the standard of living in North Korea.”

In addition to holding out the possibility of normalizing relations with North Korea, U.S. officials acknowledged Tuesday that they are discussing the possibility of canceling joint military exercises dubbed Team Spirit with South Korea next spring--but only if North Korea goes along in resolving the nuclear issues.

The disclosures underscore the intensive effort by both Washington and Seoul to persuade North Korea to open the way for inspections of its nuclear facilities at Yongbyon before a Nov. 1 deadline imposed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. So far, North Korea has shown no clear indication of altering course on its nuclear program or inspections.

Asked for comment Tuesday night on the diplomatic overtures toward a broad Korean settlement, a White House spokesman replied: “We’ve said all along that we’ll make decisions in consultation with the South Koreans. We are in consultation with the South Koreans.”

South Korean Ambassador Han Seung Soo told The Times that his government has not taken any “formal” position on the question of U.S. normalization of ties with North Korea.

“I don’t think that my government has yet formally responded to that kind of request (from the United States),” he said. “Neither was there any formal request of that sort.” Asked whether there might have been some informal understanding, he called such a question hypothetical.

In the past, U.S. officials have spoken in general terms about the possibility of improved political and economic relations with North Korea. But this is the first time that they have claimed to have won strong support from Seoul for a detailed series of incentives.

“What’s being discussed is whether to put more carrots on the table,” the official said.

South Korea’s reported willingness to go along with possible normal ties between Washington and Pyongyang is particularly surprising because, until recently, some officials in Seoul were reported to be complaining bitterly that the Clinton Administration has been too conciliatory in its dealings with North Korea.