Efforts to ease concerns over nuclear threats in the region are back on track. Representatives from the two Koreas, the United States, Japan, Russia and China are in Beijing to seek a compromise on ending the dispute surrounding Pyongyang's pursuit of nuclear power.

Earlier last month, the talks headed into a recess after the six nations failed to agree on the basic principles to hammer out a joint accord. One of the major hurdles involves the timing of the proposed disarmament of North Korea's nuclear program. While Pyongyang insists on being granted aid and diplomatic incentives before the process is complete, the Bush administration argues all nuclear facilities should be dismantled prior to any kind of concession. North Korean officials have already dismissed such prospects as "unimaginable."

Authorities in the North claim they have a right to a peaceful nuclear program. Political observers believe the problem lies in the lack of trust among the participating nations. They point out that should North Korea aim to establish a sense of credibility for itself, things may work out. A tangible attempt of this, they say, would be surrendering its current nuclear ambitions, since at the moment, the international community fears any such projects may be misused to make atomic weapons.

Arirang News