U.N. Nearing Resolution on N. Korea

The U.N. is set to adopt a resolution on North Korea through last- minute negotiations. China and Russia reportedly are to submit a revised version of the draft resolution co- sponsored by Japan and the U.S. on the afternoon of July 14 local time, after ambassador- level consultations.

The Yomiuri Shimbun said that the revision will exclude any clause invoking the U.N. Charter’s Chapter 7, which Moscow and Beijing objected to, and soften the tone. The earlier version said that North Korea’s missile tests pose a threat to international peace and security.

In return for these concessions, Washington and Tokyo will ask China and Russia not to exercise vetos.

The newspaper also said that the countries are expediting the negotiation process to before G8 summit scheduled to begin July 15.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said yesterday that stakeholders should make concessions to meet halfway and that there is no perfect way to do so. He also stressed that Japan aims at the resolution to be adopted before the G8 summit meeting.

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer told reporters that the countries concerned have nearly reached an agreement on the resolution on the U.N. Security Council, after his meeting with Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe

The South Korean government sent foreign ministry official Park In-kuk to U.N. headquarters in New York yesterday to closely work with Security Council members on the issue.

Myoung-Gun Lee Young-A Soh sya@donga.com gun43@donga.com