Nuke envoy to visit Russia for talks on NK

By Kim Young-jin

Seoul’s nuclear point man will visit Russia next week to discuss possible resumption of six-party talks on North Korea’s nuclear program amid signs of optimism in Moscow over the long-stalled forum.

Lim Sung-nam will meet with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov, Russia’s main envoy to the talks, a foreign ministry official here said.

The visit comes amid renewed interest in the disarmament forum after the recent death of North Korean ruler Kim Jong-il as experts say the dialogue would provide a measure of stability at a time of flux.

Lim’s schedule had yet to be finalized.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov last week said it was “absolutely realistic” for the talks to resume in the first half of the year if parties refrained from creating “provocative situations.”

The framework, which also includes the United States, Japan and China, has been defunct since 2009 when the North walked away in response to sanctions for its nuclear and missile tests.

Pyongyang showed interest in rejoining prior to Kim’s death, reportedly agreeing with Washington to suspend its uranium enrichment in return for food aid, a deal that would have paved the way for resumption. While the event threw the deal into doubt, both sides have left the door open for further discussions.

Meanwhile, Lim is expected to hold talks with Kurt Campbell, the top U.S. diplomat on Asia who is currently visiting Seoul as part of an Asia trip, today.

To cap off the diplomacy, Glyn Davies, U.S. special representative for North Korean policy, is in Moscow this week to “deepen cooperation and share perspectives on North Korea" with officials including Lavrov.

Regional players are keeping tabs on the North, now led by Kim’s youngest son, Kim Jong-un, to see what policies it takes under the new leadership.