Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=10/24/2000

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=Albright - North Korea (S-only)

NUMBER=2-268392

BYLINE=Kyle King

DATELINE=PyongYang

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT= assignments.neb-wire

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is briefing South Korean and Japanese officials in Seoul today following an unprecedented visit to North Korea. From PyongYang V-O-A's Kyle King reports.

TEXT: At a dinner toast to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, the Secretary said their talks had provided a platform for future progress and improving relations.

During a series of meetings on Monday and Tuesday, Ms. Albright and the North Korean leader discussed U-S concerns about the country's missile program and ways to overcome five decades of hostility.

One U-S official said North Korea indicated a willingness to halt its missile program and the secretary said that the two sides would resume talks on the issue next week.

Ms. Albright is the first U-S secretary of state to visit North Korea, which has recently moved to expand ties with the west, and reverse a policy of isolation. Following her stop in South Korea, Ms. Albright will return to Washington to brief President Clinton who is considering a presidential visit to North Korea. (Signed)

NEB/KK/TVM-T/PT