Kim Jong-il, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic
of Korea (DPRK), yesterday urged the countries involved in a pact
committing Pyongyang to dismantle its nuclear program to follow
through on their initial pledges.
He made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Foreign
Minister Yang Jiechi, who conveyed greetings from
President Hu Jintao.
"Recently, there have been signs that the situation on the
Korean Peninsula has eased," Kim told Yang.
Kim said, "all the parties should implement the initial actions"
of the disarmament agreement reached in February. The preliminary
steps include the shutdown of the DPRK's main reactor in exchange
for economic aid.
Yang also called for the "full implementation" of the existing
agreements on the nuclear issue.
He expressed hope that all parties will "continue to take
positive steps, fulfill their commitments and take initial actions
in a comprehensive and balanced manner so as to push forward the Six-Party Talks."
Kim said China has worked hard towards?the resolution of
the nuclear issue and the DPRK hopes to continue to communicate and
coordinate with China on the matter.
Yang also discussed the February agreement with his DPRK
counterpart Pak Ui-chun, and both sides agreed to make efforts to
implement it, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a news
briefing.
Yang "expressed China's consistent stance on using peaceful
means and consultation and dialogue to resolve the Korean Peninsula
nuclear issue".
Yang's trip - his first since taking up?the post in April -
comes after Pyongyang reaffirmed its pledge last week to shut down
its Yongbyon reactor following the resolution of a banking dispute
between Pyongyang and Washington.
Kim
Jong-il (R1), top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea (DPRK), meets with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang
Jiechi (L2), in Pyongyang, capital of DPRK, July 3,
2007.
Olli Heinonen, the deputy director of the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA), wrapped up a five-day visit to the DPRK
Saturday that included a tour of the Yongbyon facility. Heinonen
said he reached a tentative agreement with Pyongyang on how the
agency will verify and monitor Yongbyon's closure.
A report by Heinonen made available yesterday to The Associated
Press says that the DPRK is willing to provide the agency experts
with necessary technical information, access, and other help needed
to shut down the nuclear facilities.
The report will be discussed by the IAEA's 35-nation board,
expected to approve it as early as Monday, paving the way for the
beginning of the mission overseeing the shutdown and eventual
dismantling of the Yongbyon facility.
Qin said China would consult the other nations involved on the
date for the resumption of?the Six-Party Talks, not
held?since March. US nuclear envoy Christopher Hill had said
earlier the talks might be?scheduled during the second week of
July.
Jin Canrong, deputy dean of the School of International Studies
of Renmin University of China, noted that ties between Washington
and Pyongyang have improved recently. "Given the favorable
conditions, I believe Yang's visit will facilitate the resumption
of the Six-Party Talks," he said.
Pyongyang is the second leg of Yang's three-nation tour. He is
slated to leave Pyongyang today for Indonesia.
(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2007)
