Clinton Won't Go to North Korea

Thursday, December 28th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) â€” President Clinton will not travel to North Korea by the end of his term because there is not enough time to prepare for such a trip, the White House said Thursday.

Clinton has been considering a visit to the communist country in hopes of winning an agreement to reduce North Korea's missile program.

Clinton said that despite his decision, ``there is sufficient promise to continue this effort'' and the nation ``has a clear national interest in seeing it through.''

The president said in a statement that he determined: ``There is not enough time while I am president to prepare the way for an agreement with North Korea that advances our national interest and provides the basis for a trip by me to Pyongyang.''

The North Korean leader, Kim Jong Il, invited Clinton in October and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright traveled to the communist nation for talks with Kim.

The president said Kim ``put forward a serious proposal concerning his missile program. Since then, we have discussed with North Korea proposals to eliminate its missile export program as well as to halt further missile development.''

Clinton said engagement with North Korea, in coordination with South Korea and Japan, ``holds great promise and that the United States should continue to build on the progress we have made.''

He also praised the engagement policy of South Korea's president, Kim Dae Jung.