Clinton likely to express regret over Nogun-ri incident

Korea and the United States have reached an agreement calling for U.S. President Bill Clinton to express regret over the Nogun-ri incident, it was learned on Wednesday.

A government official disclosed that the two nations agreed in principle that President Clinton would voice his personal regret over the incident, but that it has yet to be agreed whether the U.S. president would do so via TV. The official said the Seoul government was waiting for his final word on the matter.

In this connection, the Korean side is reportedly requesting Clinton to make a personal apology on American TV, while the U.S. side is considering issuing a statement in which Clinton would voice his regret over the mass killing of Korean civilians during the Korean War (1950-1953).

Meanwhile, on the issue of compensation for the victims and their families, the U.S. side maintains the position that the question should be addressed following the judiciary verdicts concerned. For that reason, the Korean side will be trying to reflect its position supporting compensation in a joint statement slated for release in the middle of next month, so as to provide legal grounds for the families of the victims to cope with the expected judiciary battles.

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