Bosworth`s NE Asia visit to prep resumption of 6-way talks

Stephen Bosworth, U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, will visit South Korea, China and Japan Tuesday through Friday apparently to get the six-way nuclear talks resumed.

Bosworth will arrive in Seoul Tuesday, Beijing Wednesday, and Tokyo Thursday. U.S. special envoy for North Korea Sung Kim will accompany him.

The parties to the six-way dialogue have gotten busy from the beginning of the New Year. While Washington and Seoul cautiously sought talks with Pyongyang from the end of last year, the U.S., China and Japan are quickening the pace.

Diplomatic sources in Washington see Bosworth`s trip as preparation for the resumption of the six-party talks. In particular, it is unusual for the U.S., China and Japan to act simultaneously in the run-up to the Washington-Beijing summit scheduled for Jan. 19.

The dovish Bosworth’s visit to the three East Asian capitals is considered preparation for resuming dialogue with North Korea as mentioned by the U.S. and South Korea from the end of last year.

A diplomatic source in Washington said, “Bosworth will visit (South) Korea, China and Japan to deliver a message to North Korea by contacting China in the run-up to the Jan. 19 summit between U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao.”

Bosworth will repeatedly confirm China`s position before the Obama-Hu talks and ask the conditions for the resumption of the six-way dialogue after hearing Seoul and Tokyo`s responses. Beijing has been on Pyongyang`s side and urged resumption of the six-way talks.

In his two-day visit to Seoul, Bosworth will hold talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan and top nuclear negotiator Wi Sung-lac. Since the U.S. is seeking a change in the phase of dialogue with North Korea before the U.S.-China summit, Washington will likely discuss the conditions of resuming the six-party talks with Seoul in detail.

The U.S., however, will maintain its “two-track” diplomatic position of remaining open to dialogue with North Korea while responding militarily to the North`s provocations.

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