N Korea, US showing flexibility in nuclear dispute: S Korea
Both the United States and North Korea are showing flexibility in trying to settle a dispute which threatens a nuclear disarmament agreement, South Korea's foreign minister said on Tuesday.
By Agencies |
SEOUL: Both the United States and North Korea are showing flexibility in trying to settle a dispute which threatens a nuclear disarmament agreement, South Korea's foreign minister said on Tuesday.
The comments by Yu Myung-Hwan raised hopes that a mission to Pyongyang last week by chief US negotiator Christopher Hill may have been fruitful.
"The US side, although nothing has changed in terms of the substance (of its demand), is showing utmost flexibility," Yu told parliament. Asked whether the North was also exercising flexibility, Yu said, "Yes."
Hill has reported "very substantive" talks but has given no details. The six-nation disarmament deal is in danger of collapsing because of a dispute over verification of the North's declared nuclear programme.
The US-inspired verification plan reportedly calls for the secretive communist state to give access to undeclared suspected nuclear facilities and to let inspectors take samples of material.
Yu denied a report in a pro-Pyongyang newspaper that the North made a new proposal to Hill and gave the US an ultimatum to accept it. "All that Mr Hill has discussed with the North was the verification issue," he said.
A South Korean government source quoted by Yonhap news agency said the North, during Hill's visit, had demanded extra aid for any inspections of military facilities. The communist state asserts that some non-nuclear military equipment would have to be shifted from military bases before any inspection, Yonhap said.
The comments by Yu Myung-Hwan raised hopes that a mission to Pyongyang last week by chief US negotiator Christopher Hill may have been fruitful.
"The US side, although nothing has changed in terms of the substance (of its demand), is showing utmost flexibility," Yu told parliament. Asked whether the North was also exercising flexibility, Yu said, "Yes."
Hill has reported "very substantive" talks but has given no details. The six-nation disarmament deal is in danger of collapsing because of a dispute over verification of the North's declared nuclear programme.
The US-inspired verification plan reportedly calls for the secretive communist state to give access to undeclared suspected nuclear facilities and to let inspectors take samples of material.
Yu denied a report in a pro-Pyongyang newspaper that the North made a new proposal to Hill and gave the US an ultimatum to accept it. "All that Mr Hill has discussed with the North was the verification issue," he said.
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A South Korean government source quoted by Yonhap news agency said the North, during Hill's visit, had demanded extra aid for any inspections of military facilities. The communist state asserts that some non-nuclear military equipment would have to be shifted from military bases before any inspection, Yonhap said.
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