Negotiation on Time, Issues for North Korea-US Dialogue

For the first time after Bush administration began to rule, an official meeting between U.S. and North Korea has been held in New York City on 13th (U.S Eastern time).

It is revealed that U.S. special envoy Jack Pritchard met Lee Hyong-Chol, the North Korean Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and discussed mainly on practical matters for U.S - North Korea dialogue, such as the time, issues, and number of participants.

Special envoy Pritchard explained about the review result of Bush administration’s policy against North Korea to Representative Lee. They also discussed about a plan to build a new North Korea-U.S relationship based on the new U.S.’ contacting method against North Korea, which is different from that of Clinton administration.

Prior to the meeting, Philip T. Reeker, the Deputy Spokesman of U.S. Department of State, announced on 12 that, ``As a follow-up measure after President Bush’s statement about resuming of North Korea-U.S. dialogue (6th), special envoy Pritchard will meet Representative Lee and discuss on the preparatory matters to resume the dialogue between two countries.``

An unnamed high official of the State Department explained, ``the meeting could be held because North Korea accepted our suggestion to have a dialogue.``

In the meantime, James A. Kelly, the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs in U.S. Department of State explained on Bush administration’s policy against North Korea at a hearing of a House International Relations subcommittee.

According to him, to support South Korea’s effort to reconcile with North Korea, to observe the Geneva Agreed Framework, to stop North Korea’s expansion of missiles and other mass-destruction weapons, to make a process of confirmation as a precondition for all dialogues with North Korea, and to assist mutually among Korea, U.S., and Japan, are the five basic principles of Bush administration’s policy against North Korea.

Assistant Secretary Kelly made it clear about the issue to observe the Geneva Agreed Framework saying that U.S. will discuss with North Korea after they collect opinions from their allies. He also said that U.S is ready to have a meeting of four countries including North and South Korea, U.S., and China. He said that that kind of meeting is the only channel that can discuss on the matter of the Korean War Cease-fire Agreement.

Han Ki-Heung eligius@donga.com