The six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue will
resume on July 26, South Korean Foreign Ministry confirmed on
Tuesday.?
North Korea agreed earlier this month to return to the talks,
after being assured by the top US nuclear envoy that Washington
recognized its sovereignty. South Korean Foreign Ministry said
yesterday the talks would convene next week but gave no closing
date.
In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kong Quan yesterday
also confirmed the date of the talks.
Pyongyang announced to return to the six-party talks on July 9,
after a meeting in Beijing between the top US and North Korean
envoys to the talks.
South Korea plans to "play a progressive and active role in
making substantial progress at this round of six-party talks for
resolution of the nuclear issue," South Korean Foreign Ministry
said in a statement.
Earlier this week, North Korea said it and the US should agree
to coexist and respect each other at the renewed nuclear talks.
In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said
yesterday that Japan is still committed to normalizing diplomatic
relations with Pyongyang.
Russia's Foreign Ministry yesterday applauded North Korea's
decision to return to the talks and said it hopes the negotiations
will move forward.
"The Russian side welcomes this decision and expresses the hope
that the upcoming meeting in Beijing will bring visible progress,"
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Alexander Yakovenko was quoted as
saying by Russian news agencies.
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun also said on Monday that the
US "has the final key" to a solution at the talks.
The US has said it would offer diplomatic recognition and trade
to North Korea only after international inspectors verify it has
completely dismantled its nuclear program.
(China Daily July 20, 2005)