[imText1]Next round of talks to resume in Beijing before 19th…
The first amongst 5 of the working groups, the normalization of the U.S.-North Korea relations working group opened in New York, concluding in 2 days.
North Korea’s Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan and representative for the U.S.-North Korea working group met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs Christopher Hill for 8 hours, during which they comprehensively discussed issues pertaining to the elimination of North Korea as a terror supporting nation and removal of trade laws in relation to the economic sanctions.
At the Foreign Press Centre in New York on the 6th, Assistant Secretary Hill said that the recent talks had been profitable and comprehensive. He commented that North Korea would be able to follow through within the 60 days, the aims that were determined at the Feb 13 Agreement in Beijing.
On meeting with the media, Foreign Minister Kim also mentioned that the atmosphere in sharing opinions at the recent talks was very positive and constructive. He even commented “Keep an eye out for a result in the future. It’s no fun explicating everything now.”
Some experts analyze that the North’s contrasting attitude to the past in informing and making comments regarding the results of the talks is a sign that the negotiations may take a positive turn and that discussions on the implementation of preliminary measures in dismantling the nukes and normalization of relations maybe run smooth for now.
Before discussing measures on normalizing relationships, the two parties partook in explicit discussions regarding the issue of supporting terror nations and trade laws.
There is even a possibility that North Korea’s nuclear weapons and associated programs will stop being sent to foreign countries and the North’s information on terror passed onto the U.S. In addition, talks were also made on the HEU program which was disputed by the U.S. at the recent talks.
In regards to a seminar on the HEU issue that will be held on the second day of talks in collaboration with the Korean Society, Assistant Secretary Hill said that North Korea had obtained many operating manuals on centrifuges usage in the HEU program. He displayed a strong stance arguing that North Korea had to explain why it had kept these facts a secret.
However, following the press briefing, Assistant Secretary Hill commented that the two parties had agreed that North Korea’s HEU issue had to be resolved for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. He said that the U.S. and North Korean experts and affiliates had agreed to discuss the issue, suggesting that an agenda was being drafted.
At the seminar opened by Korea Society held on the first day of talks, Minister Kim stated that North Korea was prepared to agree to the issues regarding the resolution of all nuclear programs and in particular was willing to explicate issues pertaining to the HEU program, informed former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, Donald Gregg who was also present at the meeting on the 6th.
Nonetheless, Assistant Secretary Hill affirmed at the press briefing that North Korea had to proceed with dismantling its nukes for the normalization of North Korea-U.S. relations to occur and stressed that the resolution will be made on a “step by step basis.”
In addition to this, he said that the funds pertaining to BDA and North Korea’s frozen accounts would be removed within 30 days in accordance with the agreement already made.
Assistant Secretary Hill also reinforced the U.S.’ firm position regarding North Korea’s illegal acts and counterfeit dollars. He said that the U.S. would continue to protect and vigilantly observe its currency and stressed that the problem of forgery was not an issue the U.S. would be flexible with.
He made additional remarks informing that the next round of bilateral talks would take place in Beijing before the resumption of the six party talks on the 19th. Regarding the possibility of his team making a visit to North Korea, he said that while initial discussions had been made, no specific plans had been constructed.
In relation to North Korea being removed as a terror supporting nation, he revealed that discussions had been made but with no explicit plans. When questioned whether or not contact offices had been established in Washington and Pyongyang, he explained that it depended on amity between the U.S. and Chinese though North Korea did not want an intermediary to be involved.
