US envoy in China for N Korea talks

After visiting South Korea, Stephen Bosworth is in Beijing for meetings on Pyongyang's controversial nuclear programme. Last Modified: 05 Jan 2011 09:24 GMT

Bosworth (l) met with South Korea's chief nuclear negotiator Wi Sung-Lac on Tuesday [AFP] The US special envoy for North Korea policy is visiting China for talks on limiting what it views as North Korea's threatening gestures. On Wednesday, Stephen Bosworth is in Beijing, the Chinese capital, a day after visiting South Korean officials were to discuss attempts to push the North to end its development of nuclear weapons and easing tension on the Korean peninsula. Bosworth met with Wi Sung-lac and Kim Sung-Hwan, South Korea's chief nuclear negotiator and foreign minister, respectively, after the North killed four South Koreans, including two civilians, when it shelled the disputed frontier island of Yeonpyeong in November, raising tensions in the region to their highest level in years. A state department spokesperson said that Bosworth and the South Korean side met to "assess the current situation regarding North Korea's nuclear development and future response". No further details were given on the talks. Tensions high The meeting came three days after the North called for an end to confrontation with the South, urging dialogue after one of the most violent years on the divided peninsula since the 1950-53 Korean War. In March, the South blamed Pyongyang for torpedoing one of its navy ships, killing 46 sailors. The North denies the charge. South Korea had previously brushed aside the North's overtures for dialogue, saying it must be preceded by actions that show it was serious about abandoning aggression and sitting down for discussions. North Korea has said it is willing to return to six-way nuclear disarmament talks, which had been stalled for more than two years after Pyongyang rejected inspections of its atomic facilities. Six-way talks on disarmament-for-aid have been held with the North, South, US, Japan, China and Russia. When asked on Wednesday whether the US was pressurising South Korea to restart the talks with the North, Bosworth said: "Never". He gave no further comment on his meetings. The US is seeking assurances that the North is genuine in its commitment to disarmament before talks resume. Bosworth is set to visit Japan on Thursday for further consultations on North Korean issues. The US envoy for nuclear talks with North Korea, Sung Kim, is accompanying Bosworth to Seoul and Beijing.

Source: Agencies