¡°NK agrees to refrain from selling missiles to countries hostile to U.S.¡±

North Korea has agreed to refrain from selling missiles to countries hostile to the United States as well as to halt development of its own missiles, U.S. cable news channel MSNBC reported Oct. 24.

In a news story datelined from Pyongyang, MSNBC said that Chairman Kim Jong-Il of the National Defense Commission promised never to launch missiles again and agreed to consider suspending exports of weapons to countries like Syria, Iran and Pakistan, quoting a high-ranking official of the U.S. Department of State.

It also reported that there was an observation before Secretary of State Madeleine Albright¡¯s visit to Pyongyang that the U.S. would offer aid to North Korea and help it use the International Monetary Fund on the condition that North Korea suspends weapons exports.

Meanwhile, the White House said on Oct. 24 that Secretary Albright had full and thorough discussions on a wide rage of pending issues, including the missile question, during her visit to North Korea.

The White House spokesman said that he would unveil more detailed contents of the talks after Albright returns to Washington and briefs President Bill Clinton on the results of her trip to North Korea.

Wendy Sherman, U.S. North Korea policy coordinator, who accompanied Secretary Albright, also said during her flight to Seoul from Pyongyang that Albright and Chairman Kim Jong-Il dealt with much more substantial matters than earlier expected.

Park Jei-Gyoon phark@donga.com