No Safety Guarantee Document in Next Six-Way Talks

No Safety Guarantee Document in Next Six-Way Talks. November. 23, 2003 22:56. by Hun-Joo Cho Young-Sik Kim hanscho@donga.com spear@donga.com.

Asahi Shimbun reported that in the next round of six-ways talk, likely to be held in Beijing, China around December 17, any written agreement to secure the safety of North Korea would not be adopted.

This newspaper reported, quoting the remarks of the source within the U.S. administration, that the five countries except North Korea will disclose a joint announcement or statement with the promise of, “If North Korea moves forward on its intention to get rid of nuclear weapon entirely and shows concrete solutions, we will write down a safety guarantee in black and white.”

According to this decision, the written agreement to guarantee North Korea’s safety is possible during future talks held next year or after that, viewed Asahi.

It was also reported that when James Kelly, U.S. assistant secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, visited Korea, China and Japan in turn, he explained the U.S.’ standpoint to these countries.

On the other hand, Tokyo Shimbun disclosed on November 23 that Kim Young-il, N.K.’s deputy foreign minister, had visited China to discuss about the schedule and the themes of the next six-way talks.

The second round of six-ways talk, with the theme of discussing the N.K. nuclear problem, will be held in Beijing from December 17 to 19, and it has almost been finalized.

“Right now, the related countries are working on the final date and schedule of the six-way talks, but the chance of holding it on December 17 to 19 seems to be most likely,” remarked the source in Blue House, on November 23, adding, “I’ve heard that North Korea is also fine with the second round of the six-ways talk.”

This source also explained, “The final decision will happen when James Kelly discusses the problem of holding the six-way talks with Alexandro Roshekov, the Russian deputy foreign minister, in Washington on November 24.” Another source in the government added, “Actually, a definite date has not been decided upon, but the probability of holding the meeting in mid-December is most likely.”