Presidential aide says countries already discussing `grand bargain` for N. Korea

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Oct. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and other participants in six-nation
nuclear talks are already in close consultation over President Lee Myung-bak's
proposal last month for a "grand bargain" on complete denuclearization of the
North, the president's top aide said Friday.
"While maintaining a two-track approach of implementing U.N. Security Council
sanctions on North Korea while trying to bring it back to the negotiating table,
the five countries are working to establish a detailed negotiation strategy in
preparation for the North's return to the talks," presidential chief of staff
Chung Chung-kil told reporters.
The five countries refer to South Korea, the United States, Japan, China and
Russia, which make up the other members of the six-way negotiations with North
Korea.
The detailed strategy includes discussions on Lee's grand bargain proposal, Chung
said.
An official at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae previously said that the
countries were working on drawing up a package of incentives as part of the
proposed grand bargain, which seeks to denuclearize the North in a single step
instead of in phases.
Chung said the proposal will be discussed in depth with leaders of Japan and
China when President Lee meets with them this week in bilateral and multilateral
summits.
The South Korean president held a bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister
Yukio Hatoyama here Friday. They were set to depart for Beijing later in the day
for a three-way summit with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Lee and Wen will hold
bilateral talks Saturday.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)