U.S. envoy reiterates no six-party talks without denuclearization

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U.S. envoy reiterates no six-party talks without denuclearization

(Xinhua) 19:16, November 22, 2013

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SEOUL, Nov. 22 -- Glyn Davies, U.S. special representative for policy on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), reiterated its stance Friday that six-party talks will not be resumed without Pyongyang's sincerity to give up its nuclear weapons program.

The U.S. envoy told reporters in Seoul after meeting with his South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yong that the United States had no interest in returning to the six-party dialogue table without concrete signs that the DPRK will abandon its nuclear weapons, according to local media reports.

Davies stressed that denuclearizing Pyongyang is the primary goal of the six-party talks, which have been halted since late 2008. The disarmament-for-aid dialogue, initiated in Beijing in 2003, include the two Koreas, China, the United States, Japan and Russia.

The U.S. diplomat in charge of the six-way talks arrived in Seoul Thursday night after ending his three-day visit to Beijing. He will fly to Japan to complete his mission to coordinate with three Asian powers.

His comments confirmed the unwavering U.S. position that Pyongyang should show its sincerity to dismantle its nuclear program before resuming the long-stalled talks.

Envoys from the United States, South Korea and Japan agreed, after talks in Washington early this month, not to restart the six- way dialogue until the DPRK show its commitment to giving up its nuclear weapons.

The DPRK, China and Russia, the other parties at the six-party talks, have been calling for prompt resumption of the talks without any strings attached.

Cho, who represents South Korea at the six-party talks, said that five members of the six-way dialogue, excluding the DPRK, were sharing views that an environment, which can lead the dialogue to success, should be created to reopen the six-party talks.

He said that constructive consultations were ongoing among the parties concerned, noting that negotiations will continue to reach the goal of denuclearizing the DPRK.

South Korea's presidential office Chong Wa Dae also urged Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear program to resume the six-party talks. Ju Chul-ki, chief presidential secretary for security and foreign affairs, said in a conference held in Seoul that the DPRK should pledge to remove its nuclear weapons and offer detailed action plans on it.

"At the core of North Korea (DPRK)'s change is a complete resolution of the nuclear program," said Ju, noting that the DPRK' s policy of pushing for economic development and nuclear program simultaneously was an unrealizable illusion unacceptable to the South Korean government as well as the international community.

Touching on the DPRK's efforts to attract foreign investment, Ju said that "no country" will try to cooperate with the DPRK obsessed by nuclear weapons, noting that every country will face difficulties in their investment due to strong UN sanctions in effect.

The official KCNA news agency reported Thursday that Pyongyang will establish special economic zones in various provinces, citing a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly. The DPRK said last month that it would set up special economic zones open to investment from "any country".

Ju said that if the DPRK pledges to abandon its nuclear program and abides by the promise sincerely, the South Korean government will help Pyongyang restore its economy in cooperation with the international community.