Roh has staunchly backed a "sunshine policy" of engagement with the North.

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The South Korean leader also discussed his "sunshine policy" of greater openness with the North when he met U.S. President George W. Bush in February.

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Hong Won Tak, senior secretary for national security affairs, maintained the incident would not change the country's "sunshine" policy of seeking to engage North Korea or to cultivate business relations with it.

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He pursued the dream of "reconciliation and cooperation" and will be most remembered for the Sunshine Policy, instituted in 1998 after he took office as South Korea's leader.

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