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Nuclear talks

August 1, 2011

After two days of talks with the US in New York, North Korea says it wants an early resumption of the six party denuclearization talks. The North walked out of these negotiations in 2009.

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North Korea called the talks with the US constructive
North Korea called the talks with the US constructiveImage: dapd

North Korea said Monday it was prepared to resume nuclear talks following "constructive" talks in New York last week. A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday the North will "resume the six party talks without preconditions at an early date" and comprehensively implement a September 2005 denuclearization deal on the principle of simultaneous action.

US special envoy to North Korea is expected to visit South Korea, China, and Japan in the coming weeks to discuss steps to revive the talks
US special envoy to North Korea is expected to visit South Korea, China, and Japan in the coming weeksImage: AP

There had been five rounds of six party nuclear disarmament talks between North Korea, South Korea, the US, China, Russia and Japan before Pyongyang walked out of the negotiations in April 2009, a month before its second atomic weapons test. The North's deadly artillery attack last November on a South Korean island further complicated efforts to restart nuclear dialogue.

This all changed last month when the chief nuclear negotiators from the two Koreas unexpectedly met in Bali, which prompted talks between the US and North Korea at the United Nations in New York last Thursday and Friday.

Showing commitment

On the last day of the talks, Washington said the "path is open" to better relations if the North shows a firm commitment to disarmament efforts. The North's spokesman said the "in-depth discussion" covered improving bilateral relations, ensuring stability in the Korean Peninsula and resuming the six party talks in a "sincere and constructive" atmosphere.

Pyongyang has indicated its interest in returning to the six party talks
Pyongyang has indicated its interest in returning to the six party talksImage: AP

"Both sides recognized that the improvement of the bilateral relations and the peaceful negotiated settlement of the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula conform with the interests of the two sides," the spokesman added.

South Korean Yonhap News Agency quoted anonymous diplomatic sources as saying US special envoy to North Korea Stephen Bosworth is expected to travel to South Korea, China and Japan in coming weeks to discuss the results of his meetings with Pyongyang officials as well as possible next steps to revive the six-way process. No timeframe was given for the next round in the agreed US-North Korean bilateral talks.

Author: Shivani Mathur (AFP, dpa, Reuters)
Editor: Sarah Berning

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