S. Korea, U.S. coordinate strategy on N. Korea

SEOUL, Sept. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States held a top-level
meeting here Saturday to discuss a joint response to North Korea's recent
overtures and renewed nuclear threats.
Stephen Bosworth, Washington's special representative for North Korean policy,
and top Seoul nuclear envoy Wi Sung-lac reviewed the current situation and a
joint response to Pyongyang's so-called "two-track" strategy, government sources
said.
On Friday, the North said it has almost acquired the technology to enrich
uranium, adding to a nuclear arsenal composed of several plutonium bombs. That
claim remains unconfirmed but experts doubt the cash-strapped nation has
sufficient facilities to actually produce highly-enriched uranium.
The North's provocative statement followed weeks of conciliatory gestures,
including the release of detained South Korean and American nationals, an
agreement to resume inter-Korean tourism businesses, and the reconnection of
direct communication lines with the South.
Bosworth and Wi refused to reveal the details of their consultation, saying they
will have a chance to talk to the media on Sunday.
Bosworth also met with Unification Minister Hyun In-taek, who is in charge of
Seoul's policy on Pyongyang. He is scheduled to have a breakfast meeting with
Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan on Sunday before heading to Japan, the last leg of
his three-nation tour.
Shortly before leaving Beijing for Seoul on Friday, Bosworth reaffirmed that he
has "no plans at the moment to go to North Korea."
He confirmed media reports that the North has invited him to visit Pyongyang.
"Well, one of the things that we're doing on this trip is to coordinate with our
partners on the way in which we should respond to the invitations that the North
Koreans have extended," he said.
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