ID :
19944
Wed, 09/17/2008 - 11:15
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/19944
The shortlink copeid
(LEAD) Koreas to discuss energy aid under six-party framework
(ATTN: UPDATES with more details, background)
SEOUL, Sept. 17 (Yonhap) -- Working-level officials of the two Koreas will meet at the truce village of Panmunjom on Friday to discuss providing remaining energyn aid to North Korea under the framework of the six-party nuclear disarmament talks, the South Korean foreign ministry said Wednesday.
South Korean officials expect the meeting, proposed by Pyongyang, will serve as a
chance to assess the intent behind Pyongyang's recent threats to reverse its
denuclearization process as well as North Korea's future plans following reports
of its ailing leader.
South Korea chairs an energy aid working group under the six-party framework.
The meeting comes amid South Korean and U.S. intelligence reports that North
Korean leader Kim Jong-il is recovering from a stroke. Kim's notable absence last
week at a parade marking his country's 60th anniversary fueled speculation over
his health.
Kim has not been seen in public since Aug. 14 when he reportedly inspected a
military unit in the North.
North Korea began disabling its key nuclear facilities in November and provided a
list of its nuclear programs in June as part of the six-nation agreement signed
last year.
In return, Pyongyang's five negotiating partners -- South Korea, the United
States, Japan, China and Russia -- promised to provide 1 million tons of heavy
fuel oil or equivalent energy assistance to the communist state. Nearly half of
the agreed-upon energy aid has been delivered.
During the latest round of six-party talks, all sides agreed to complete the
disablement and energy shipments by October.
Pyongyang, however, announced in late August that it had stopped disablement of
its nuclear plants and has reportedly taken initial steps towards restarting its
main plutonium-producing reactor at Yongbyon. The moves came in protest over
Washington's backtracking on a promise to remove Pyongyang from a list of state
sponsors of terrorism.
Washington has said it will not delist Pyongyang unless the communist state
agrees to a proper protocol to verify the country's nuclear declaration.
The talks will be led by Hwang Joon-kook, head of the South Korean Foreign
Ministry's North Korean nuclear issue bureau, and Hyon Hak-bong, deputy chief of
the U.S. affairs bureau of the North Korean Foreign Ministry.
(END)
SEOUL, Sept. 17 (Yonhap) -- Working-level officials of the two Koreas will meet at the truce village of Panmunjom on Friday to discuss providing remaining energyn aid to North Korea under the framework of the six-party nuclear disarmament talks, the South Korean foreign ministry said Wednesday.
South Korean officials expect the meeting, proposed by Pyongyang, will serve as a
chance to assess the intent behind Pyongyang's recent threats to reverse its
denuclearization process as well as North Korea's future plans following reports
of its ailing leader.
South Korea chairs an energy aid working group under the six-party framework.
The meeting comes amid South Korean and U.S. intelligence reports that North
Korean leader Kim Jong-il is recovering from a stroke. Kim's notable absence last
week at a parade marking his country's 60th anniversary fueled speculation over
his health.
Kim has not been seen in public since Aug. 14 when he reportedly inspected a
military unit in the North.
North Korea began disabling its key nuclear facilities in November and provided a
list of its nuclear programs in June as part of the six-nation agreement signed
last year.
In return, Pyongyang's five negotiating partners -- South Korea, the United
States, Japan, China and Russia -- promised to provide 1 million tons of heavy
fuel oil or equivalent energy assistance to the communist state. Nearly half of
the agreed-upon energy aid has been delivered.
During the latest round of six-party talks, all sides agreed to complete the
disablement and energy shipments by October.
Pyongyang, however, announced in late August that it had stopped disablement of
its nuclear plants and has reportedly taken initial steps towards restarting its
main plutonium-producing reactor at Yongbyon. The moves came in protest over
Washington's backtracking on a promise to remove Pyongyang from a list of state
sponsors of terrorism.
Washington has said it will not delist Pyongyang unless the communist state
agrees to a proper protocol to verify the country's nuclear declaration.
The talks will be led by Hwang Joon-kook, head of the South Korean Foreign
Ministry's North Korean nuclear issue bureau, and Hyon Hak-bong, deputy chief of
the U.S. affairs bureau of the North Korean Foreign Ministry.
(END)
