The Hindu : International : Moves to resolve N. Korea issue

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 18, 2005

International

International

Moves to resolve N. Korea issue

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE, FEB. 17. Fresh diplomatic efforts to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table began in Beijing today, with South Korea and the United States sending their envoys to the Chinese capital for "talks on talks" about Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

There was no authoritative word until nightfall on the progress of these new moves or who these two envoys were talking to.

The U.S. envoy, Christopher Hill, said the idea was to hold "initial consultations" with China, host to the now-stalled six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear issue, in the new situation of Pyongyang's announcement that it had indeed "manufactured nukes" to face the American threats.

South Korea said its negotiator, Song Min-soon, had arrived in Beijing to ask China to play a greater role to break the latest impasse.

The South Korean Foreign Minister, Ban Ki-moon, said "China has informed us of its plan to take other initiatives in addition to sending an envoy to North Korea."

"Ready to face attack"

In a related development, South Korea's defence chief, Yoon Kwang-un, told journalists in Seoul that a "readiness" to face a possible nuclear attack from North Korea had been "included in the operation strategy" of the South Korean military for "several years" now.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News Update

Stories in this Section

Iraq war fuelling terrorism: CIA

Syria, Iran reiterate strategic ties

Broad powers for Nepal anti-graft panel

How planted journalist served White House

Bigger type sizes to save books?

Blair gets a taste of public anger

Moves to resolve N. Korea issue

3D scan to help Diana inquest

Ex-Presidents to visit Sri Lanka

New post for Negroponte

Bus service accord hailed as `mother of CBMs'

Pakistan to invite Petroleum Minister