S. Korea, China in "frank, in-depth" consultations on N. Korea

(ATTN: ADDS unification minister's meeting with Chinese envoy in last 3 paras)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, July 13 (Yonhap) -- Top South Korean and Chinese nuclear negotiators met
here on Monday for what they described as frank and in-depth discussions on how
to deal with North Korea.

"What is important is that the two sides have frank and in-depth consultations,"
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei said at the outset of his meeting with Wi
Sung-lac, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs.
Wu, who chairs the six-way talks on the North's nuclear program, arrived in Seoul
on Sunday as part of his tour of participating nations in the disarmament
negotiations. He traveled to Russia, the U.S., and Japan. It remains unconfirmed
whether he will also visit North Korea during the current tour.
The South Korean envoy, quipping lightly, told Wu he will try to ease the
visitor's fatigue "through frank and in-depth discussions."
It is their second meeting in a month following talks early June in Beijing.
The South Korean envoy had said before the meeting that their talks will focus on
ways to implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874, which imposes sanctions
on Pyongyang for its May 25 nuclear test.
The Chinese vice foreign minister had a breakfast meeting with Unification
Minister Hyun In-taek on Monday, in which they agreed on the importance of peace
and stability on the Korean Peninsula, according to Hyun's aides. Hyun is in
charge of the South Korean government's policy on North Korea.
"(They) shared the view that denuclearization is the goal at the current stage
and agreed that denculeaerization should be achieved in a peaceful manner through
dialogue," ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung said at a press briefing. "(They)
also agreed to make active efforts for the resumption of the six-way talks."
Chun refused to provide more details, saying Seoul and Beijing had an
understanding on the scope of information to be made public.
Wu is scheduled to leave Seoul on Tuesday.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)