U.S., S.Korean envoys discuss DPRK's nuclear program

Washington hopes to have another round of rare denuclearization talks with Pyongyang, said Thursday Glyn Davies, new U.S. special representative for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). "I hope that at some point in the not too distant future we will have an opportunity to get back to the table with (the DPRK officials)," Davies, in Seoul as part of his Asia tour, told reporters after meeting with South Korea's top nuclear envoy Lim Sung-nam for consultations on the DPRK's nuclear issues. "But quite frankly, we are not interested in talks for talks' sake," he said. Davies and Lim, Seoul's chief negotiator for the stalled six- party talks over dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear program, discussed the outcome of the two previous rounds of denuclearization talks between the United States and the DPRK and ways to resume the separate nuclear talks involving six regional powers. The two officials reportedly agreed that Pyongyang should abandon its uranium enrichment program and allow inspectors to verify the disarmament process before holding the third round of rare denuclearization talks. Washington officials described recent two-way talks with Pyongyang as "positive", but no substantial agreements on resuming the six-party negotiations, last held in 2008, were reached. While Seoul and Washington insist on Pyongyang showing commitment to denuclearization before reviving the six-party talks, Pyongyang wants no preconditions and accuses the United States of presenting an obstacle to the talks. The aid-for-disarmament talks also involve China, Japan and Russia. Davies, who recently replaced Stephen Bosworth, also called for better inter-Korean ties. "We need to see that there is the appropriate sort of engagement between the DPRK and South Korea. This is something that we'll continue to emphasize to the DPRK, and we certainly hope that the contacts between the DPRK and the South Korea continue," he reportedly said in a joint press meeting with Lim. Relations between Seoul and Pyongyang fell to the lowest point in years last year following two deadly border incidents, but the recent resumption of civilian exchanges and humanitarian aid have hinted at a thaw. The visit by Davies, formerly an ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, came after Pyongyang said it will continue producing low-enriched uranium. The announcement was in defiance of international calls to halt all nuclear activities which Pyongyang claims are for peaceful purposes, and is expected to put a damper on diplomatic efforts to reopen the stalled six-way negotiations. The envoy is scheduled to meet with South Korean foreign minister Kim Sung-hwan, unification minister Hyun In-taek and presidential security advisor Chun Yung-woo. His Asia tour, the first such trip since taking office in October, will bring him also to China and Japan. Davies was accompanied by Clifford Hart, Washington's envoy for the moribund six-way forum.