Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=8/28/2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=KOREA TALKS (SHORT)

NUMBER=2-293455

BYLINE=KATHERINE MARIA

DATELINE=HONG KONG

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Talks are underway in Seoul between delegates from North and South Korea on reconnecting rail and road links across the heavily guarded border that divides the two countries. Katherine Maria reports.

TEXT: The economic talks come amid a flurry of diplomatic activity by North Korea. The meeting beginning Wednesday is a follow up to high-level discussions held between the two Koreas earlier this month. It is not clear, however, what will be accomplished by the talks.

Scott Snyder, the Korea representative to the Asia Foundation says the issues being discussed this week are no different from those discussed two years ago.

/// SNYDER ACT ///

The delegations are really talking about exactly the same issues that had been discussed in the fall of 2000. They have not had opportunities to discuss the issues over the course of the past two years. It really depends if we see results from this dialogue.

/// END ACT ///

There are indications the two sides have different goals for a cross-border railway. North Korean delegates indicate they would like a railway that would lead into Russia, while the South already has prepared another set of tracks. (Signed)

NEB/HK/KM/KPD