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Wi Sung-lac
Chief nuclear envoy |
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
The United States is expected to make a decision soon on the date and agenda of bilateral talks with North Korea, South Korea's chief nuclear envoy said Wednesday.
Wi Sung-lac, special representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, also said that the government is making efforts to get the reclusive state to return to the six-party denuclearization talks while maintaining sanctions.
Meanwhile, Foreign Policy, a bimonthly magazine, reported that Washington and Pyongyang agreed to have two rounds of formal meetings before North Korea returns to the multilateral forum.
``It has been a long time since North Korea invited the United States to Pyongyang,'' Wi said in an interview. ``What I was told most recently is that the U.S. side will soon make a decision.''
North Korea has long sought direct talks with the United States on its nuclear programs.
On Monday, Pyongyang renewed its demand for bilateral talks with Washington, threatening to go its own way unless the U.S. sets a date for bilateral talks.
A day later, Pyongyang also announced that it has completed the reprocessing of 8,000 spent fuel roads in an apparent attempt to increase pressure to get the U.S. into direct talks.
``North Korea's reprocessing of spent fuel rods is not a good move,'' Wi said. ``I don't see it as helpful to the (possible) bilateral talks between North Korea and the United States.''
But the announcement, he said, was not a surprise to him since the North already issued a similar statement.
``I can't conclude possible impacts (of the reprocessing) at the moment,'' he added.
The envoy is scheduled to visit the U.S. and Japan from Thursday. ``I will discuss matters regarding possible Washington-Pyongyang talks with U.S. officials and focus on preparation for a summit between South Korea and the United States scheduled for mid-November,'' Wi said.
He said he will also discuss President Lee Myung-bak's ``Grand Bargain'' nuclear proposal with Japanese officials.
President Lee made the proposal of offering economic aid and guaranteeing the North Korean regime in return for giving up the nuclear ambitions.
ksy@koreatimes.co.kr
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yistory@koreatimes.co.kr
