Comprehensive Package for NK in Initial Stages
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
A ``comprehensive approach'' toward North Korea, mentioned by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, is in its initial stages, with details yet to be devised, an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Monday.
``My understanding is that the comprehensive approach is the antithesis of a gradual, partial approach,'' the official said, after a meeting between Wi Sung-lac, South Korea's chief negotiator to the six-party denuclearization talks, and Campbell at the ministry.
``It is aimed at complete, verifiable, irreversible dismantlement,'' he said, asking to remain anonymous.
Campbell and Wi reaffirmed that there will be no compensation to North Korea for its provocative acts, ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young told reporters.
They also agreed to continue efforts to get North Korea back to the talks, Moon said.
``The two countries confirmed that there will be no negotiations to offer compensation for North Korea's provocations and agreed on bringing Pyongyang back to the talks by implementing the U.N. Security Council resolutions,'' the spokesman said.
After the secretive state conducted its second nuclear test on May 25, the UNSC adopted Resolution 1874, imposing a new robust set of sanctions.
A senior ministry official said the ``no compensation'' rule does not necessarily mean that the two countries deny accords made during the six-way talks.
Upon arrival here last Saturday, the U.S. envoy urged North Korea to take ``serious and irreversible steps'' to end its stand-off with the United States and neighboring countries, saying it is a precondition for a ``comprehensive package'' of incentives.
He added that the package would be attractive to North Korea if it takes some of the first steps.
Both Wi and Campbell left for Phuket, Thailand, later in the day to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan also arrived in the Thai resort island and plans to address the current situation in the Northeast Asia region, including the North Korean nuclear issue.
He is also expected to exchange ideas on regional security issues in the Asia-Pacific region and preventive diplomacy.
The issue of the South Korean worker detained in North Korea for more than three months may not be presented during the forum, spokesman Moon said.
The detainee, 44, was arrested in late March for allegedly slandering North Korea and attempting to entice a North Korean female worker to defect to the South.
South Korean officials and lawyers have not been allowed to see him.