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The U.S. expects North Korea to own up to its alleged uranium enrichment program. The U.S. top negotiator in six-nation talks on the North Korean nuclear problem, Christopher Hill, said during a visit to Seoul the North must clarify that the program is a bygone or on its way out. Hill met with his South Korean counterpart Chun Yung-woo and will visit the North from Dec. 3 to 5.
Hill stressed several times on Thursday that North Korea¡¯s nuclear disclosure will top the agenda during his North Korean visit and in six-party talks in Beijing next week. ¡°With respect to uranium enrichment, we do need acknowledgement of what has gone on. We need an explanation of how it went on and we need a disposition of any equipment involved in uranium enrichment,¡± Hill said in a lecture hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea. The North Koreans "have begun to put together their list, I think it's pretty close to being ready.¡± Hill promised to discuss the uranium issue with the North during his visit, reiterating that any nuclear disclosure must include all nuclear-related programs, facilities and materials. ¡°While we do not yet have a solution as I stand here today, I'm confident that based on the direction of these conversations, we can have a verifiable solution by the end of the year,¡± he added.
But observers feel it is unlikely that the matter can be resolved this year since Pyongyang denies having such a program. U.S. hardliners are expected to protest unless the North at least offers a reasonable explanation to the issue. Some analysts say Hill aims to negotiate directly with the North during his visit in a bid to pre-empt criticism from hardliners. He told reporters Thursday that he is willing to meet North Korean military leaders during his visit, hinting that he will directly tackle resistance from them.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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