Delay in talks has nothing to do with U.S.: Boucher

The U.S. State Department said Wednesday that North Korea`s sudden postponement of the fifth round of inter-Korean ministerial talks had nothing to do with the U.S. policy line on the North.

``It would be pure speculation on my part or anyone`s part to try to make a connection like that,`` State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters. ``North Korea did not give an official reason.``

Han Ki-Heung eligius@donga.com