U.S., Negative on Providing Security Guarantee on Paper

On November 20, James Kelly, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Seoul and discussed the details for the second six-way talks concerning the North Korean nuclear standoff with Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Soo-hyuk.

It is said that the officials, who are representatives of their respective nations at the six-way talks, concentrated on fine-tuning their opinions regarding the major issues surrounding the six-way talks such as the nuclear dismantlement of North Korea, the security guarantee that North Korea is asking for, and the date of the second round of talks.

Regarding North Korea’s demand for a security guarantee, the U.S. is said to have a negative opinion of providing it on paper at the second six-way talks. It is highly likely that the second talks will be held next month, but there is also a possibility that it will be delayed until next January if the previous discussions between participating nations including Korea and the U.S. see no advancement.

Assistant Secretary Kelly also met with Presidential Advisor on Foreign Affairs Ban Ki-moon and Presidential Advisor on National Security Kim Hee-sang at the Cheong Wa Dae. He will continue discussions on the six-way talks with the Foreign Ministry on November 21.

Young-Sik Kim spear@donga.com