Two Koreas discuss nuke, bilateral ties

By Lee Chi-dong
BEIJING, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- Top nuclear negotiators from the two Koreas on Monday
discussed ways of advancing the six-way talks on Pyongyang's nuclear program and
chilled inter-Korean ties.
"The two sides had comprehensive discussions on the issues of a verification
protocol, completing the second phase (of the denuclearization process), and
economic and energy assistance," Cho Yun-soo, spokesman for the South Korean
delegation, said.
Kim Sook, who heads the South Korean delegation, and his North Korean counterpart
Kim Kye-gwan engaged in a "serious dialogue" for 75 minutes at the Chinese state
guest house Diaoyutai in advance of the resumption of the broader disarmament
talks, Cho added.
"We emphasized the core part of the verification (of the North's recent nuclear
claims)," he said. "The North Korean side showed keen interest in energy aid."
South Korea chairs the working group for the provision of energy to the North
under a six-party deal reached last year.
In his first meeting with the North's envoy in five months, the South Korean
negotiator also emphasized the sincerity behind the Lee Myung-bak government's
policy of co-prosperity, according to Cho.
Kim Kye-gwan, however, gave no specific response, only listening to Kim Sook's
comments, Cho said.
Inter-Korean ties were strained with the launch of the Lee administration in
February on a pledge to get tough on the communist neighbor. Their relations have
worsened in recent weeks as the North has tightened its border controls.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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