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China, S. Korea work to resume 6-ways talks
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-06 21:56
The foreign ministers of China and South Korea agreed Friday to make efforts
for the early resumption of the stalled six-nation talks aimed at resolving the
dispute over North Korea's nuclear programs, a South Korean official
said.
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| Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing (C), flanked by Cyprus'
Foreign Minister George Iacovou (L) and Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor
Namhong, smiles as he listens to an opening speech during the opening
ceremony for the Asia-Europe Meeting at the Kyoto State Guest House in
Kyoto, Japan May 6, 2005. [Reuters] | Chinese
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister
Ban Ki Moon are also concerned that the situation would worsen if North Korea
takes "an additional measure," the official said.
The official did not elaborate, but Li and Ban were probably referring to
reports that North Korea may test a nuclear weapon or reprocess old fuel rods by
shutting down a graphite-moderated nuclear reactor in the Yongbyon site.
Li and Ban met on the sidelines of foreign ministerial talks of Asian and
European countries, which began in Kyoto on Friday.
After the talks, Li told reporters, "We'll keep in contact with North Korea
and make efforts for the early resumption of the six-nation talks."
Li said restarting the talks early "would be of benefit to all parties
concerned and lead to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and peace and
stability" in the region. ADVERTISEMENT
Six countries -- North and South Korea, the United States, China, Japan and
Russia -- held the third round of talks in June last year but a fourth round
failed to take place in September after North Korea refused to attend, citing
the "hostile" U.S. attitude toward it.
Late last month, U.S. President George W. Bush said he would continue to try
to resolve the issue diplomatically through the six-party framework.
But Bush also said that the United States will consider "consequences"
together with other parties to the talks, including referring North Korea to the
U.N. Security Council, should North Korean leader Kim Jong Il continue to refuse
to resume the talks.
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