South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon Sunday expressed hope
that the new round six-way talks on nuclear issue of the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) would take place this month.
"The DPRK had offered to hold new talks in early January. I
think there is a possibility six-party talks could be convened
within February in view of various political situations," Ban said
in an interview with the Yonhap News Agency.
However, Ban also said that at the current stage it is not
appropriate for the DPRK to demand the US make a series of
concessions as a precondition for the abolishment of its atomic
weapons program.
The DPRK said in January that it will suspend its nuclear
programs as a first step if the US lifts sanctions, resumes oil
shipments and removes Pyongyang from its list of
terrorism-sponsoring countries. But Washington has demanded
Pyongyang verifiably dismantle its nuclear programs before any
concessions.
"The DPRK should pledge that it will dismantle all of its
nuclear programs, including high enrichment of uranium, completely,
verifiably and irreversibly," Ban said.
"A nuclear freeze is the first step in a nuclear dismantlement.
A verification means an inspection so nuclear inspections should
follow," he said.
China, the DPRK, the US, Russia, South Korea and Japan held the
first round nuclear talks in Beijing last August. The concerning
parties have made a lot of efforts to resume such talks as early as
possible.
On Sunday, US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly came to
Seoul for consultations with South Korean officials on the nuclear
issue.
(Xinhua News Agency February 1, 2004)