James Steinberg has given the U.S.’ backing for upcoming military-to-military contacts between the two Koreas, and reiterated that Washington totally supports South Korea’s demands for North Korea to show a sincere willingness to denuclearize and cease its provocations.
Deputy Secretary of State Steinberg, who arrived in Seoul early today on the first leg of a regional tour that also includes Japan and China, was speaking after a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kim Sung Whan and Wi Sung Lac, South Korea’s chief nuclear negotiator.
“In order to move forward,” Steinberg told reporters, “North Korea does need to demonstrate that it is sincerely prepared to step back from provocations and to engage in a meaningful dialogue that will lead to concrete steps to deal with its nuclear program.
Steinberg added that he had expressed “appreciation for the efforts and the initiatives that the government here has made, including its proposal for military-to-military talks with North Korea, and we are very supportive of the efforts the government here is taking in that respect.”
Steinberg also gave a guardedly positive appraisal of the Chinese position on North Korea, a position that emerged from last week’s summit in Washington, D.C., saying, “I think there is a shared view among all of us about… moving forward on the North side of the peninsula.”
However, while promoting dialogue Steinberg was also keen to point out that North Korea’s uranium enrichment activity remains unacceptable, calling it “inconsistent” with North Korea’s obligations and saying that the “clear message coming out of the summit between President Obama and President Hu should help drive that message home.”
Steinberg is scheduled to meet President Lee Myung Bak and hold talks with national security adviser Chun Yung Woo during his brief stay in Seoul.
