ID :
187094
Wed, 06/08/2011 - 05:26
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/187094
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea's nuclear envoy heads for China
SEOUL (Yonhap) - South Korea's chief nuclear envoy said Wednesday he will discuss details of a so-called three-step approach with his Chinese counterpart to revive long-stalled nuclear disarmament negotiations with North Korea.
Wi Sung-lac will meet his Chinese counterpart Wu Dawei on Thursday during a two-day visit to Beijing from Wednesday for discussions on the six-party talks that have been stalled since late 2008.
Regional powers have agreed on the three-step approach to the six-party talks aimed at ending the North's nuclear programs. It calls for North Korea to meet South Korea first and then the U.S. before reopening the multilateral forum.
Speaking to Yonhap News Agency before flying to Beijing, Wi said, "We have pushed for the three-step approach since last year and will first make efforts to revive a dialogue channel between South and North Korea."
The prospects for reopening the six-party talks grew dimmer last week after North Korea declared it would no longer talk to South Korea and embarrassed Seoul by divulging details of secret contact the sides had last month to set up summit meetings.
Asked about the North's recent fiery rhetoric, Wi said, "During the visit to China, I will figure out why North Korea made such a stance public and how to cope with the current situation.
"The overall mood is not good, but there is room for diplomacy to play a role."
Inter-Korean relations are at one of their lowest levels after the North launched military attacks on South Korea last year that left a total of 50 people killed.
South Korea is demanding that the North apologize first for the military attacks before resuming the six-party, which involve the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and Russia.
North Korea has repeatedly called for an early resumption of the nuclear talks, but regional powers are wary of the North's sincerity, citing its past pattern of raising tensions and winning concessions through talks.
Wi Sung-lac will meet his Chinese counterpart Wu Dawei on Thursday during a two-day visit to Beijing from Wednesday for discussions on the six-party talks that have been stalled since late 2008.
Regional powers have agreed on the three-step approach to the six-party talks aimed at ending the North's nuclear programs. It calls for North Korea to meet South Korea first and then the U.S. before reopening the multilateral forum.
Speaking to Yonhap News Agency before flying to Beijing, Wi said, "We have pushed for the three-step approach since last year and will first make efforts to revive a dialogue channel between South and North Korea."
The prospects for reopening the six-party talks grew dimmer last week after North Korea declared it would no longer talk to South Korea and embarrassed Seoul by divulging details of secret contact the sides had last month to set up summit meetings.
Asked about the North's recent fiery rhetoric, Wi said, "During the visit to China, I will figure out why North Korea made such a stance public and how to cope with the current situation.
"The overall mood is not good, but there is room for diplomacy to play a role."
Inter-Korean relations are at one of their lowest levels after the North launched military attacks on South Korea last year that left a total of 50 people killed.
South Korea is demanding that the North apologize first for the military attacks before resuming the six-party, which involve the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and Russia.
North Korea has repeatedly called for an early resumption of the nuclear talks, but regional powers are wary of the North's sincerity, citing its past pattern of raising tensions and winning concessions through talks.
