ID :
209579
Tue, 09/27/2011 - 01:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/209579
The shortlink copeid
U.S. still dubious about N. Korea's sincerity: State Dept.
By Lee Chi-dong
WASHINGTON (Yonhap) - With speculation growing over when or whether the United States will hold another round of high-level talks with North Korea, the State Department reiterated Monday that it has yet to confirm Pyongyang's sincerity about denuclearization and dialogue.
"I don't think we've had enough examples, enough evidence to make a decision either way," department spokesman Mark Toner said at a press briefing, asked about the U.S. view.
He stressed the importance of improvement in inter-Korean ties.
"I think we're still looking for improved dialogue between North and South Korea, and certainly the onus is on North Korea to take steps in that direction. But I think the verdict's still unclear," Toner added.
Resuming talks with North Korea in New York in late July after a 19-month hiatus, the U.S. said the aim was to see if Pyongyang is ready for serious discussions on denuclearization and bilateral relations. The New York session between Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan and Stephen Bosworth, special representative for North Korea policy, came on the heels of a rare meeting between the top nuclear negotiators from Seoul and Pyongyang.
The two Koreas had additional nuclear talks last week in Beijing. They did not announce any concrete agreement.
Some media have reported the possibility of a trip by Bosworth to Pyongyang or a meeting with Kim in a third country -- for example, Singapore or Geneva, Switzerland.
"We don't have anything to announce," Toner said, adding the talk of the possible venue is "hugely speculative."
He confirmed that Edgard Kagan, acting deputy assistant secretary of state in charge of Korean Peninsula affairs, recently traveled to Seoul for consultations with South Korean officials. He did not elaborate on the agenda items.
WASHINGTON (Yonhap) - With speculation growing over when or whether the United States will hold another round of high-level talks with North Korea, the State Department reiterated Monday that it has yet to confirm Pyongyang's sincerity about denuclearization and dialogue.
"I don't think we've had enough examples, enough evidence to make a decision either way," department spokesman Mark Toner said at a press briefing, asked about the U.S. view.
He stressed the importance of improvement in inter-Korean ties.
"I think we're still looking for improved dialogue between North and South Korea, and certainly the onus is on North Korea to take steps in that direction. But I think the verdict's still unclear," Toner added.
Resuming talks with North Korea in New York in late July after a 19-month hiatus, the U.S. said the aim was to see if Pyongyang is ready for serious discussions on denuclearization and bilateral relations. The New York session between Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan and Stephen Bosworth, special representative for North Korea policy, came on the heels of a rare meeting between the top nuclear negotiators from Seoul and Pyongyang.
The two Koreas had additional nuclear talks last week in Beijing. They did not announce any concrete agreement.
Some media have reported the possibility of a trip by Bosworth to Pyongyang or a meeting with Kim in a third country -- for example, Singapore or Geneva, Switzerland.
"We don't have anything to announce," Toner said, adding the talk of the possible venue is "hugely speculative."
He confirmed that Edgard Kagan, acting deputy assistant secretary of state in charge of Korean Peninsula affairs, recently traveled to Seoul for consultations with South Korean officials. He did not elaborate on the agenda items.
