SEOUL, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- South Korea's growingly unpopular leader Roh Moo-hyun has entered his final year in office with a vow to recover public trust by pressing ahead with much-touted efforts towards peace-building, political reforms and a free trade deal with the United States.
In a New Year press conference Thursday, President Roh said his top security priority is ending North Korea's nuclear programs as part of efforts to promote peace and stability on the divided peninsula.
To help focus international efforts on the nuclear standoff, Roh said he would not seek summit talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il before progress is achieved at the six-nation talks aimed at persuading North Korea to abandon its nuclear program.
"An inter-Korean summit will be difficult for the time being," he said. "Only after the conclusion of the six-party talks would inter-Korean issues be fully tackled."
Roh, with 12 months left in office, was elected in December 2002 on a strong wave of anti-Americanism sparked by the deaths of two girls in a road accident by a U.S. military vehicle.
His approval rating marked as high as 60 percent just after he took office in February 2003, but has plummeted to an all-time-low to slightly over 10 percent in the wake of flip-flop policies and a prolonged economic slump. His five-year single term ends early next year.
With dimming prospects for winning in the presidential election slated for December, a growing number of ruling lawmakers have left Roh's Uri Party, complaining Roh's low popularity, which could lead to disbanding of the reformist party.
According to recent surveys, some 70 percent of South Koreans expect the main opposition Grand National Party to take power in the December vote.
Roh's comment comes amid growing speculation that the ruling camp was pushing for an inter-Korean summit to influence South Korea's presidential election.
Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung recently said South Korea might consider sending a special envoy to North Korea to arrange a cross-border summit, joining ruling lawmakers' calls for such a meeting. A possible inter-Korean summit can boost the popularity of Roh's party which has sought reconciliation with the North, according to polling agencies.
In an apparent bid to avoid any dispute with Pyongyang, Roh refused to take a clear stand on the possibility of the North's second nuclear test. "North Korea's nuclear weapon test is a very sensitive issue. I will refrain from any direct mentioning on the issue. But we're fully prepared for any unexpected situation," he said.
Roh also called for ruling lawmakers to refrain from leaving the Uri Party, hinting at his own defection to avoid a mass exodus. "I'm ready to negotiate with those who want to leave the Uri Party to create a new party. If I'm an obstacle to their campaign, I'm willing to leave the party," he said.
Roh reiterated his proposal to amend the constitution to allow future presidents two consecutive four-year terms, saying the U.S.-style presidency would lead to more stable governments. But his suggestion has been widely considered a "political maneuver" aimed at increasing his clout at a time when he is rapidly becoming a lame duck.
Roh also pledged to make utmost efforts to clinch a free trade deal with the United States, saying it is vital to South Korea's export-drive economy.
"I will do my best. I will step up efforts to strike a deal on the FTA (with the United States)," he said. The two countries are to hold a seventh round of talks in the United States in February with many issues remaining resolved.
But Roh's last minute efforts are unlikely to bear fruit as most South Koreans remain deeply distrustful of his policy. Many analysts say Roh would more quickly become a lame duck and his political clout would dwindle fast in his remaining one year.
