The six-nation North Korea denuclearization talks may resume this month, the State Department said Friday amid signs of another nuclear test by the communist regime.
Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters that there are "signals that they can start again this month."
Envoys from South and North Korea, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan had met in Beijing last month for the denuclearization negotiations after 13 months of suspension. The talks were disappointing, however, with no substantive progress or promised dates on a next session.
On Thursday, American TV network ABC quoted a U.S. Defense Department official as saying that Pyongyang appears to be preparing for another nuclear test. North Korea conducted its first atomic detonation on Oct. 9.
But a senior South Korean diplomat visiting Washington this week said Thursday he had not heard from the U.S. about such a test in his talks with officials here.
McCormack said another test would have "severe" consequences, but questioned whether North Korea would take a step so clearly against its interests.
"If you did have another test of a nuclear device, that would have severe consequences for the viability of that political-diplomatic process. Why would they take such a step at this time?" the spokesman said.
He also said the next round of six-party talks needs to specify actual steps toward North Korea's denuclearization.
The multilateral forum aims at dismantling the North's nuclear weapons and programs in exchange for incentives provided by other countries. In September 2005, the six parties signed a joint statement that outlines the goal and the available benefits.
McCormack said John Negroponte, just nominated as deputy secretary of state, would take over the Northeast Asia portfolio, indicating he will handle North Korean as well as Chinese issues.
Washington, Jan. 5 (Yonhap News)
Six-party talks could resume this month: State Department |
