S. Korea, Russia to discuss N. Korean nuclear problem

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with planned trip by U.S. officials, reports on
Kissinger's visit to Beijing, other details)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, June 22 (Yonhap) -- Top South Korean and Russian nuclear envoys will hold
a meeting in Moscow later this week to coordinate their approach towards North
Korea's nuclear and missile threats, Seoul's foreign ministry said Monday.
"Wi Sung-lac, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security
affairs, will leave for Russia on Tuesday for consultations with Alexei
Borodavkin, head of Russia's delegation to the six-way talks (on North Korea's
nuclear program)," ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young said in a press briefing.
The fate of the stalled talks -- which also involve the United States, China and
Japan -- has come into question amid the North's increasing belligerence
following its second nuclear test on May 25. The U.N. Security Council responded
with a tough resolution calling for stricter cargo inspections, an arms embargo
and financial sanctions on Pyongyang.
"The South Korean government is in close consultation with related nations for a
response through international cooperation in the wake of North Korea's nuclear
test," Moon added. "His upcoming to trip to Russia is part of such efforts. The
two sides are expected to have in-depth discussions, based on their strategic
cooperative partnership, on the implementation of the U.N. Security Council's
resolution and a next step on the North Korean nuclear issue." Wi plans to return
to Seoul on Thursday.
He said Wi and Borodavkin, in their meeting slated for Wednesday, will discuss
various issues including Seoul's push for a five-way consultation session that
excludes Pyongyang.
In his latest summit with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington last week,
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak proposed a five-way meeting designed to
discuss carrot-and-stick measures that could entice the North to return to the
bargaining table.
The foreign ministry spokesman stressed that the five-way event, if held, would
constitute "consultations," not talks, apparently mindful of China's negative
view towards the proposed gathering. China has played host to the six-way talks
since their inception in 2003.
Meanwhile, a delegation of U.S. defense officials is scheduled to tour China,
Japan, and South Korea later this week for consultations on North Korea.
The team, headed by Michele Flournoy, under secretary of defense for policy, will
make a two-day visit to Beijing from Tuesday, followed by a trip to Tokyo on
Thursday and to Seoul on Friday.
In Seoul, the delegation plans to meet with Deputy Foreign Minister Lee
Yong-joon, officials said.
The Chosun Ilbo, South's main newspaper, reported in its Monday edition that the
U.S. may send Henry Kissinger, a former diplomat and now prominent scholar, to
Beijing to seek its cooperation in dealing with the North. Although many
observers say their alliance is not as robust as it was during the Cold War era,
China still has more political and economic influence over North Korea than any
other country.
Serving as national security advisor and secretary of state under President
Richard Nixon, and also secretary of state under Nixon's successor, Gerald Ford,
Kissinger played a key role in breaking the ice in U.S.-Soviet and U.S.-China
relations.
Diplomatic sources in Seoul said that he may visit China in the near future for a
"personal reason," not as a government envoy.
"Kissinger has a wide web of human networks with senior Chinese officials. If he
visits there, he will have a chance to talk about the North Korean issue," a
source said. "But it does not necessarily mean that he is acting a special envoy
of President Barack Obama or Secretary of State Hillary Clinton."
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)