[imText1]North Korea’s head delegate for the six party talks, Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan hinted to South Korea’s head delegate on nuclear affairs Chun Yung Woo, Special Representative for Korean Peninsular Peace and Security Affairs that action could be taken in freezing nukes, reported Donga Ilbo on the 24th.
Minister Kim met representative Chun in Beijing on the 23rd and “revealed that the 5MW nuclear atom in Yungbyun, North Pyongan, is ready to be frozen in accordance to the alleviation of U.S. financial sanctions” informed the newspaper via a reputable foreign source.
However, it appears that Minister Kim refused access for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to enter North Korea and inspect the nuclear facilities to confirm the dismantle of the atomic nuclei in Yongbyun.
Regarding the U.S. proposal on the ‘Discussions on freezing nukes, constructing peace systems and North Korea’s energy support’ representative Chun seems to have showed a positive response.
Representative Chun who returned to S. Korea following the meeting said “Issues on the preliminary measures of the 9.19 Mutual Declaration (and other issues related to the nukes) were discussed” and “There is now are greater chance that developments will be made at the six party talks that will reconvene on Feb 5th at the latest.”
“The next round of talks will be over by Chinese New Year (Feb 18th). We will deliver a gift to the people of Korea” he said suggesting that discussions had been made on the dismantling of North Korea’s nukes.
On the other hand, Minister Kim said regarding the meeting with U.S. Assistant-Secretary Christopher Hill in Berlin “I am content. The U.S. showed a positive change in attitude.”
When asked for more detail, Minister Kim said “You will find out in due time” and when questioned whether or not North Korea’s attitude had changed, he said “We will not change everything.”
Following the meeting with the U.S. in Berlin last week, Minister Kim was known to have been greatly inspired at the possibility of the U.S. releasing part of the legitimate funds caught in the BDA case.
