N. Korea must give up nukes for better ties with Japan, U.S.: Seoul minister

By Kim Hyun
SEOUL, Sept. 16 (Yonhap) -- North Korea appears to be seeking better relations
with the United States and the new government of Japan but it will not be
rewarded with progress if it keeps its nuclear weapons, South Korea's unification
minister said Wednesday.
"Our government hopes for North Korea to normalize relations with the United
States and Japan and pursue economic cooperation," Hyun In-taek said in a seminar
with journalists in Seoul.
"North Korea needs those things," he said, "However, the North cannot achieve
them by detouring inter-Korean relations or without denuclearization."
Hyun said North Korea has shifted its stance since last year but has yet to show
a "fundamental change" in its attitude. North Korea has released detained South
Korean and U.S. citizens, agreed to hold reunions for families separated by the
Korean War and lifted business restrictions for South Korean firms operating in
the communist state all within last month.
"North Korea is rewinding inter-Korean relations to how they were a year and a
half ago," he said.
"Toward the U.S., it is demanding dialogue. The North appears to be seeking
improved relations with Japan's new government as well," he said.
Pyongyang has invited Stephen Bosworth, U.S. special representative for North
Korea policy, for one-on-one talks. Washington said it was yet to decide whether
to send him, but the conclusion is widely expected to be positive.
Diplomatic sources in Seoul say Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will also visit North
Korea early next month ahead of the expected Pyongyang-Washington talks.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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