Seoul, Washington to Discuss Regional Security
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
Top diplomats from South Korea and the United States will hold talks in Washington, D.C. next week to discuss regional security issues including the long-standing stalemate over North Korea's nuclear weapons program, a Foreign Ministry official said Thursday.
Vice Foreign Minister Kwon Jong-rak will leave for the United States on Tuesday for the strategic dialogue with his U.S. counterpart John Negroponte, deputy secretary of state, slated for Wednesday, he said.
``The strategic dialogue is not held to discuss bilateral issues in detail but intended to cover broader security affairs,'' said the official. ``The North Korean nuclear issue and Northeast Asian security conditions will be the main focus of the discussion.''
During his stay, Kwon is scheduled to meet with foreign policy advisors to presumptive U.S. presidential candidates including Susan Rice of the Barack Obama camp, he added.
The talks come amid growing public protests here against the resumption of U.S. beef imports.
Ministry officials said the beef issue will not be on the agenda, although it may be discussed briefly.