I am pleased that, after reviewing the Clinton Administration's policy towards North Korea, President Bush has decided to continue with the policy of negotiating with North Korea on a broad range of issues.

I am concerned, however, that the Administration has not indicated at what level these negotiations would be held, when negotiations would resume, nor determined which issue the Administration wants to make a priority.

The history of discussions with North Korea has demonstrated that successful negotiations require high-level consultations. If we are serious about reaching an agreement with North Korea about restraining their missile development, missile exports, nuclear program, and conventional force structure, then we need to ensure that our meetings with the North are held with the key North Korean decisionmakers.

It is important that high-level contacts between South Korea and North Korea also resume. President Kim Dae-Jung of South Korea and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Il previously agreed to meet in Seoul but no date for that visit had been set. I hope now that the Administration has declared its intent to re-engage North Korea, Kim Jong Il will follow through on his agreement to visit the South.

As Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services, I expect to hold hearings on our policy toward North Korea shortly.