2nd LD) U.N. looks set for deal on resolution against N. Korea: Seoul envoy

(ATTN: RECASTS 7th para for clarification)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, June 9 (Yonhap) -- The U.N. Security Council is expected to hammer out a
compromise on a new resolution to punish North Korea's latest nuclear test within
a few days, South Korea's chief nuclear negotiator said Tuesday as he headed to
China for discussions on the next step.

"I think the resolution will be issued tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," Wi
Sung-lac told reporters shortly before flying to Beijing for talks with his
Chinese counterpart, Wu Dawei. Wu chairs the six-way talks on the North's nuclear
program also involving the U.S., Japan, and Russia.
The U.S. and Japan, with South Korea's support, drafted a tough resolution
calling for financial sanctions on Pyongyang, an arms trade embargo, and the
inspection of North Korea's air and sea shipments of suspicious cargo. The
envisioned resolution, if approved, will pave the way for tougher measures
against the North than those in Resolution 1718, adopted after the North's first
known underground nuclear blast in 2006.
But China, the North's traditional ally and a veto-wielding member of the
council, is reportedly opposed to pushing the North too hard out of fear that it
may destabilize the impoverished neighbor.
After two weeks of diplomatic wrangling in the U.N. over the level of punishment,
Chinese officials are reviewing a final draft of the resolution, and the other
members of the council are waiting for their response, according to U.N. sources.
Wi said a protracted dispute may undermine the authority of the resolution if
issued. "Timing matters," he said. "But it seems that differences are being
narrowed, with only minor, last-minute coordination of opinions left."
With regard to his two-day trip to Beijing, he said it is aimed at exchanging
views on the current situation and discussing how to deal with North Korea,
which has been churning out belligerent broadsides and actions, including
reported preparations for additional missile launches.
Wi said he will talk with Wu on Wednesday in what would be their first meeting
since March. He is also pushing for a meeting with Foreign Minister Yang
Jiechi.
"It would be meaningful to have discussions with China, which is a key player in
the six-way talks and also the chair of the talks, on the current situation," he
said.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)