Top South Korean and U.S. diplomats Friday urged North Korea to stop provocative acts and resume inter-Korean dialogue immediately, stressing the communist nation's possession of atomic weapons can never be tolerated.
In their one-hour talks in Seoul, Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and his American counterpart Hillary Clinton also agreed to push for the "complete and verifiable" dismantlement of the North's nuclear program through the six-way talks also involving China, Russia, and Japan, according to Yonhap News.
"The ministers shared the perception that North Korea should stop its recent provocative acts and respond to South Korean offers for dialogue without attaching any conditions," the ministry said in a press release on the results of their "useful and in-depth discussions." Clinton arrived in Seoul from Indonesia Thursday night.
Adding to tensions fueled by its reported ballistic missile launch preparations, the North's military said in its latest verbal threats Thursday that an armed clash with the South could break out at any time.
"The two sides have decided to closely cooperate on the related situation," the ministry said. "In addition, Minister Yu and Secretary Clinton shared the opinion that it is desirable for the leaders of the two nations to hold a summit at an early date to develop the alliance and strengthen cooperation on major global issues."
Meanwhile, Clinton met with the top American military commander in South Korea earlier in the day as she kicked off her first visit to the Asian ally as top diplomat, amid rising concerns over North Korean provocation.
Emerging from a motorcade of more than a dozen Cadillacs and Jeeps, Clinton smiled broadly and shook hands with a small group of South Korean and U.S. members at the Combined Forces Command (CFC), including Gen. Walter Sharp.
The visit to the CFC was belatedly inserted into the itinerary of Clinton's four-nation Asian trip, which began in Japan Monday, U.S. officials here said, declining to specify when or why.
About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against North Korea.
Clinton will depart for China Friday evening after meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.