NK Accepts Six-Way Talks on Nuclear Row
2003-08-02
North Korea on Thursday told South Korea it will accept the U.S. demand to hold six-way talks that would include South Korea, Japan, Russia and China on the nuclear row, Foreign Affairs-Trade Ministry officials in Seoul said on Friday (Aug. 1).
"North Korea delivered its position that it will accept the six-way proposal to discuss solutions to the North Korean nuclear issue," said Lee Soo-hyuck, deputy foreign minister for policy.
The North will directly enter six-way talks, foregoing the three-way talks with the U.S. and China that were held in Beijing in April, he added.
"Our government has launched active efforts to realize the multilateral talks, by cooperating with related countries including the U.S., Japan, China and Russia, and we welcome the North's move," the official said.
More consultation between the six related parties is needed to set a date for the talks, Lee said, adding that Beijing will likely remain the venue for the talks.
North Korea's first public word accepting the multilateral talks was passed almost simultaneously to the five countries involved, he said, although Russia was the first to break the news by issuing a foreign ministry statement quoting North Korean Ambassador Pak Ui-chun on Thursday.
Thomas C. Hubbard, U.S. ambassador to South Korea, met with Foreign Affairs-Trade Minister Yoon Young-kwan on Friday to discuss following steps.
Thursday's message came directly from Pyongyang to Seoul, Lee added, refusing to elaborate on exactly what route was used. South Korea disclosed the news belatedly by one day to better consult with the other related countries, he also said.
Asked why he thought Pyongyang has shifted from its position of insisting on one-to-one talks with the U.S., the deputy foreign minister said North Korea seems to have realized that holding expanded talks also lay in its interests.
Source : www.korea.net
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