N Korea seeks Korean Peninsula denuclearisation-Kim Jong Il.

9/2 Tass 93

BEIJING, February 9 (Itar-Tass) - Denuclearisation of the Korean
Peninsula is North Korea's invariable position, Secretary General of the
Workers' Party of Korea, Chairman of the State Defence Committee of the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Il said at a meeting
in the city of Hamhung (North Korea) with Director of the International
Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC)
Wang Jiarui.
According to the DPRK leader, "Efforts taken by the corresponding
sides for the resumption of the six-sided talks on denuclearisation of the
Korean Peninsula are of major importance."
The Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday that Kim Jong Il reiterated
on Monday the country's persistent stance to realise the denuclearisation
of the Korean Peninsula.
The sincerity of relevant parties to resume the six-party talks is
very important, Kim said during a meeting with Wang Jiarui. The DPRK is
willing to make efforts with China to further strengthen the communication
and coordination, Kim said.
The stalled six-party talks involve the DPRK, South Korea, China,
Japan, Russia and the United States.
Kim highly commended China's achievements in economic and social
development, and believed that his country's relationship with China would
further develop in the future, the agency reported.
Last year marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic ties between the two countries as well as the "Year of the
DPRK-China Friendship," during which series of activities demonstrated the
dynamism of the bilateral friendship, said Kim. He also wished the
exchanges between the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and the CPC be
intensified.
Wang delivered to Kim a letter from Chinese President Hu Jintao, who
extended Spring Festival greetings to the WPK and the DPRK government and
people on behalf of the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese
people, Xinhua reported.
Hu said in the letter that China highly treasures its relations with
the DPRK and is ready to deepen traditional friendship, enhance
cooperation, and make joint efforts with the DPKR to maintain peace and
stability on the Korean Peninsula. The Chinese president also invited Kim
to visit China once again. The Chinese delegation led by Wang arrived to
North Korea Saturday for a goodwill visit.
According to Xinhua, on Monday, Wang Jiarui held talks with Choe Thae
Bok, secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea central committee. Wang said
the activities held by the two countries last year to mark the China-DPRK
friendship year served to enrich and broaden the traditional friendship
and cooperation between the two countries in all fields. Wang said China
is ready to work with the DPRK to promote their traditional friendship and
carry on it from generation to generation.
Choe said the traditional friendship is a common treasure for the two
peoples, and bilateral cooperation in various fields would yield
substantial results thanks to efforts of both sides. Choe wished the World
Expo 2010 in Shanghai would be crowned with complete success. They also
exchanged views on other issues of common concern.
-0-ezh/ast