North Korea expresses openness to nuclear talks

[Coventina]

Source: Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) — North Korean officials have expressed willingness to move forward with long-stalled denuclearization talks and have downplayed recent reports that the regime is preparing to test-fire a long-range missile, a former U.S. diplomat said Saturday after a private visit to Pyongyang.

The message given to former envoy Stephen Bosworth was in contrast to North Korea's increasingly belligerent rhetoric recently. Over the past few weeks, Pyongyang has announced it would scrap peace agreements with South Korea, warned the divided peninsula was on the brink of war and appeared to be preparing to test a missile capable of reaching the western United States.

Bosworth, the former U.S. ambassador to South Korea and now an academic, said the officials he met with kept an upbeat tone regarding the nuclear talks and a willingness to talk to President Barack Obama's administration.

"We can continue to work towards eventual denuclearization of Korean peninsula," Bosworth said after arriving at Beijing's international airport. "They understand the Obama administration will need some time to sort itself through the policy review and they expressed patience, there is no sense of alarm or urgency."



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[earcandle]

1. I saw N.Korea on my noodlebrain site recently... not that I am saying...

but I am really glad to hear some sense coming from other
countries. 

[ShockediSay]

2. Hey! Mr Kim Jong Ill!

You have used talk as a stall and came out with
unclean hands.

Show me something beyond 'willingness to talk.'

[Igel]

3. He also shows "willingness to accept stuff." That count? n/t