Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Kim Kye Gwan Interviewed in Beijing

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK via Korea News Service (KNS)

    Pyongyang, November 12 (KCNA) -- Kim Kye Gwan, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, who led the DPRK delegation to the six-party talks on the nuclear issue between the DPRK and the U. S. held in Beijing was interviewed by reporters at the DPRK embassy in Beijing on Nov. 11. Present there were reporters from the DPRK, China and various other countries. Kim Kye Gwan said:
    The first phase of the fifth round of the six-party talks discussed the issues of implementing the joint statement. Each side advanced its own proposal for honoring the joint statement.
    The talks reaffirmed the stand to implement the joint statement in a phased way on the principle of "commitment for commitment" and "action for action". It was agreed to hold the second session of the fifth round of the six-party talks at the date agreed upon in the near future.
    The DPRK delegation put forward a series of proposals to implement the joint statement prompted by its will to realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
    Most important among them is to implement the joint statement through simultaneous actions on the principle of "action for action." The delegation also called for implementing the joint statement in a phased way on the principle of allaying each other's concerns and focusing primary efforts on building confidence.
    The DPRK delegation strongly demanded the U.S. side lift its financial sanctions.
    The sanctions are in contravention of the joint statement and prevent the DPRK from honoring its commitment laid down in the statement. As the U.S. committed itself to renounce its hostile policy toward the DPRK and pursue a policy of peaceful co-existence, we agreed on the joint statement, believing in that commitment.
    Each party admitted that the DPRK's proposal was reasonable and expressed the stand that this issue should be settled through negotiations. The parties agreed to have bilateral contacts during the recess.
    The DPRK and the U.S. sides agreed to open talks and discuss and settle the issue of financial sanctions in the future.