Chief South Korean nuclear negotiator Chun Yung-woo met his North Korean counterpart Kim Kye-gwan in Beijing on Thursday. It was their first meeting since North Korea missed a Dec. 31 deadline to declare its nuclear programs and stockpiles, and came after they separately met with their U.S. counterpart Christopher Hill on Feb. 19 and 20.
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South Korean nuclear envoy Chun Yung-woo, right, and North Korean counterpart Kim Kye-gwan answer reporters' questions after their meeting at a hotel in Beijing on Thursday. /AP
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During their hour and a half Thursday morning, Chun and Kim discussed North Korea's declaration of its nuclear programs and the resumption of the six-nation nuclear talks. Immediately after the meeting, Chun said, "The North reaffirmed its commitment to a smooth and full implementation of the agreement of the six-party talks. We reaffirmed our own commitment to a sincere fulfillment of our duties as the chair of the economy and energy working group of the denuclearization process. We understand that the North is ready to attend a session of the six-party talks anytime China, the host country of the talks, convenes one."
However, Chun hinted that an early resolution of discord with the U.S. over the delay will be difficult. "It's not impossible to solve the issue, but the parties concerned will need more effort and time,Ħħ he said. "North Korea seems to be aware that it can't prevaricate and skip the declaration. Kim Kye-gwan viewed the current stage as a technical delay." He quoted Kim as saying the delay is not politically motivated.
Kim left the meeting venue that day after briefly saying, "We'll sincerely fulfill our obligations."
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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