[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)] [December 29, 1996] [Page 2237] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]Statement on the Resolution of the Korean Peninsula Submarine Incident December 29, 1996 I welcome today's official statement by North Korea conveying its deep regret for the submarine incident in South Korea last September. I am pleased that P'yongyang has pledged to prevent the recurrence of such an incident and has expressed its willingness to work with others for durable peace and stability on the Peninsula. This is a significant development, which I hope will contribute to the reduction of tensions on the Korean Peninsula. I extend my appreciation to President Kim Yong-sam for his personal efforts to resolve the submarine incursion in a way that opens the door for future South-North dialog. The United States and South Korea have cooperated closely as firm allies to resolve this issue. I hope discussions can now begin to move forward on the four-party peace talks which President Kim Yong-sam and I offered last April.