Three Parties Agree on Scheduling Six-way Talks Next Month

South Korea, the United States, and Japan are coordinating their opinions with regard to holding the second round of the six-way talks either on February 5 or around February 20, Japanese Kyodo News reported on Monday.

The U.S. suggested these dates during a recent unofficial meeting with Korea and Japan. They endorsed the proposal saying, “The six-way talks may be delayed until April if we fail to take this opportunity.”

The Kyodo News reported that China and Russia also agreed to holding the talks in February. The issue is whether or not North Korea would accept it.

It is reported that the U.S. set this date considering the birthday of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il on February 16 and the second session of China’s 10th National Peoples Congress in February.

parkwj@donga.com