U.S. diplomat says 'open to diplomacy' with N. Korea's new leadership

SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- The United States is "open to diplomacy" with North Korea's new leadership since the death of Kim Jong-il, but stresses the North must improve ties with South Korea to have better relations with the U.S., a senior American diplomat said Wednesday. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, Washington's top diplomat for Asia, also said North Korea should take the necessary steps before any resumption of stalled six-party talks to end the North's nuclear weapons program in exchange for aid. "We are open to diplomacy with North Korea," Campbell told reporters in Seoul after meeting with senior South Korean officials, including Lim Sung-nam, Seoul's chief envoy to the six-party talks. "But there's a very clear set of steps that we think are necessary. The steps have been closely coordinated with Japan and particularly with South Korea and we're still waiting to see whether the new government in North Korea is prepared to take the necessary steps." During Campbell's talks with South Korean officials, the two sides reaffirmed that "a path is open to North Korea towards the resumption of talks and improved relations with the United States and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) through dialogue." "We also underscored again very clearly that the road to these improved relations runs through Seoul for North Korea," Campbell said. Campbell arrived in Seoul Tuesday for a two-day visit as the first leg of an Asia tour. During a speech Tuesday evening, he called on North Korea to improve ties with the South, while expressing confidence the Seoul-Washington military alliance could deter any provocation from the North. "There is hope in diplomacy," Campbell said Tuesday. "That hope in diplomacy rests in the reality of a very strong deterrence and military commitment that will be unwavering." About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War. The international community is keeping a wary eye on the North's untested new leader, Kim Jong-un, who took over Pyongyang's communist regime after his father died of a heart attack in December. The young leader, believed to be in his late 20s, was made a four-star general and a key party member in 2010. Many analysts have raised concerns the young Kim may launch another provocation, or military attack, against South Korea to help him consolidate power and internal unity. Tension remains high on the Korean Peninsula after two deadly North Korean attacks in 2010 that killed 50 South Koreans. Last year, diplomatic efforts to restart the six-party talks gained momentum, but the death of Kim has left prospects for resumption of the talks more uncertain. The talks, which involve the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the U.S., have been dormant since late 2008. China, the North's key ally, has reportedly decided to provide 500,000 tons of food and 250,000 tons of crude oil to North Korea following the death of Kim. Asked about the reported Chinese move, Campbell replied, "We have had discussions with Chinese friends about developments in North Korea and their line has been the desire to see maintenance of peace and stability." "I think we believe that they have taken steps to underscore their commitment to the transition in power in North Korea. And those steps might include further provision of assistance given the circumstances in North Korea," he said. "Frankly, it's an evolving situation, we're watching it closely and we want to continue a close dialogue with China, we want them to share with us more of their perspectives and their plans and I think that's an issue South Korea and the United States share very similar views on," Campbell said. (END)