Category: Diplomacy

Kwon Ho-ung, the chief North Korean delegate in Seoul for Cabinet-level talks, today echoed comments made by Kim Jong-il to South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, on 17 June, concerning North Korea’s willingness to return to talks, and ultimately to give up nuclear weapons. A South Korean spokesman quoted the Northern delegation as having stated: “If the United States treats the North in a friendly manner, we will possess not one nuclear weapon. Kim Jong-il reportedly said that if the...

Once again South Korean hopes have been raised that the Six-Party Talks will soon re-start, again. On 17 June, Kim Jong-il told South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young that ““ if the U.S. “recognizes and respects“ North Korea — talks could begin by July. I am not sure how many times we have been down this path since it is nearly pointless to keep count. The U.S. position has stayed the same: talks should begin immediately, and without pre-conditions. By...