US ambassador hints at NK summit if P`yang scraps nukes

U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Kathleen Stephens hinted Wednesday at a possible U.S.-North Korea summit if Pyongyang moves toward denuclearization as outlined in the 2005 joint statement.

In a debate hosted by the Kwanhun Club, a fraternity of senior South Korean journalists, she made the comment in answering a question on whether Washington would respond if Pyongyang abandons its nuclear weapons program and wants a bilateral summit.

“With a commitment, action and denuclearization we can start on that road,” she said. “But we need to get going on this and that is the clear message that we want to send to the leadership in Pyongyang.”

She said, however, that the situation is in its early stages and has many obstacles.

On if a channel of communication exists between Washington and Pyongyang, Stephens said, "We also are prepared to engage bilaterally, but I think we`ve been very clear that we want to see first and foremost an improvement in the atmosphere of North-South (Korea)."

"As we`ve said repeatedly, we would like to see action from North Korea, not just words,” she said, adding that Washington sent a clear message that another provocation by Pyongyang would entail corresponding consequences.

On South Korean President Lee Myung-bak’s invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to an international nuclear summit in Seoul next year, Stephens said the prospect of Pyongyang`s response is not bright.

Turning to Wikileaks’ release of sensitive diplomatic documents late last year, she said she was “very uncomfortable” about it.

Stressing the importance of diplomats understanding their host countries and sharing information with their home countries, Stephens said the leaks undermined trust with host nations. Yet Seoul understood Washington’s position and the leaks did not negatively affect bilateral relations, she added.

zeitung@donga.com