U.S. Willing to Talks with North Korea at a the and Place of NK’s Choice

On the 8th, the U.S. State Department reconfirmed that they are ready to resume talks with North Korea with no preconditions at a time and a place of the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea`s choice (DPRK).

In response to the comment of a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman on the same day, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said in the world briefings, ``We have made quite clear that we do wish to discuss with no preconditions.`` Boucher added, `` North Korea has not yet sent a formal response.``

A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman had said, `` We can never accept the agenda items of the talks unilaterally raised by the U.S. out of its intention to disarm the DPRK and stifle it, and will not respond the talks with the U.S. before it withdraws the items.``

According to Washington Diplomatic sources, the talks appears to be possible when Kim Jung Il returns from Russia, since the U.S is emphasizing `no preconditions` in response to DPRK`s slam.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said, ``U.S. wants to discuss several subjects such as implementation of the Agreed Framework, verifiable constraints on the missile programs, and a less-threatening conventional military posture on the peninsula.``

``We assume that DPRK also has its own subjects to discuss and we are ready to meet with no preconditions at a time and a place of the DPRK`s choice.``

George W. Bush U.S. president issued a statement on the 6th of June where three agendas for the U.S.-DPRK talks were proposed; however, the U.S. has changed their attitudes toward DPRK more positively and generously.

On the 27th of last month, while visiting Seoul, Secretary of State Colin Powell said the nations could ``meet at a time and place of the DPRK`s choice and we have no preconditions.``

Han Ki-Heung eligius@donga.com