North Korea returns to negotiating table
Reclusive communist state North Korea yesterday indicated it was ready to embrace further diplomatic efforts on its alleged nuclear weapons programme.
Pyongyang last week expressed disappointment after the six-nation talks in Beijing, saying Washington had shown little sign in rethinking its “aggressive” policy toward Kim Jong Il’s regime.
It accused the US of eyeing up “sinister schemes” to prepare for “regime change” in the region.
Last week’s three-day discussions brought together North and South Korea, the US, Russia, Japan and China.
A second round of six-nation talks was pencilled in for October, possibly in Tokyo or Beijing.
In October last year, the US announced that North Korea, an “axis of evil” member, had admitted to a secret nuclear arms programme.
Since that time, North Korea has reportedly reactivated its Yongbyon nuclear plant, expelled UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors and effectively ended its support for the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
North Korea last week said it was ready to officially declare itself a nuclear power and “demonstrate” a first missile test.
However, despite the inconsistent, belligerent rhetoric, North Korea yesterday it would work to secure a peaceful solution to the current impasse.
“There is no change in our firm will to resolve the nuclear dispute between North Korea and the US, peacefully through dialogue,” Pyongyang’s KCNA state news agency said.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Kong Quan, has urged the US to address its “negative policy” to North Korea.
“How the US is threatening the DPRK this needs to be further discussed in the next round of talks,” Mr. Kong said.
