The Democratic People's Republic
of Korea (DPRK) is ready to return to the negotiating table to resume nuclear
talks if the conditions are right, visiting DPRK Premier Pak Bong Ju said
Tuesday.
North Korean
Premier Pak Pong Ju, center, is escorted to a car on his arrival at
Beijing airport Tuesday March 22, 2005.
[AP] |
Starting his first official visit to China
after taking office in 2003, Pak's tour comes a day after US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice left Beijing after her 24-hour stop.
"DPRK's stance of maintaining a nuclear-free peninsula as well as to resolve
the nuclear issue through peaceful means and talks remains unchanged," said Pak
at a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao.
"DPRK neither opposes nor will abandon the six-party talks," he stressed.
"The DPRK will participate in the six-party talks as soon as the time is right."
China suggests seeking a peaceful resolution and six-party talks in dealing
with the Korean Peninsula nuclear stand-off, which is vital to the peace and
stability of Northeast Asia, said Wen.
It is a "realistic option" to resolve the matter through dialogue, Wen said.
"The six-party talks are in the interests of all parties and should continue,"
Wen said.
He urged all sides to show flexibility, sincerity and patience.
The DPRK appreciates China's efforts for realizing a nuclear-free Korean
Peninsula, Pak said.
China has hosted three inconclusive rounds of talks involving the DPRK, the
Republic of Korea, the United States, China, Japan and Russia; but a fourth
round planned for late 2004 never materialized.
Meanwhile, the DPRK said on Monday that it has increased its nuclear arsenal
to help prevent a US attack.
Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao (R) directs North Korean counterpart Pak Pong-ju during a welcome
ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 22, 2005.
Premier Pak Pong-ju began a visit to China on Tuesday. ［Reuters]
|
"We've taken serious steps to boost our nuclear arsenal and we are also
prepared to mobilize all of our military force against any provocative moves by
the enemy," the Seoul-based Yonhap quoted the DPRK's state KCNA news agency as
saying.
The statement came as Rice said on Monday in Washington the Asian allies of
the US would have to find new ways of dealing with the DPRK if it continues to
shun nuclear disarmament talks.
Although she has also said the nuclear stand-off "cannot go on forever," Rice
has repeatedly emphasized the United States has no plans to attack the DPRK.
Last month, the DPRK officially declared for the first time that it had
nuclear weapons; it also announced it was pulling out of the six-party talks.
After their meeting the two leaders also appeared at the signing ceremony of
two deals on the promotion of investment and environmental protection.
Pak will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao Wednesday.
Showing great interest in China's economic reforms, Pak plans to visit some
factories and plants in Beijing, Shanghai and Liaoning Province during his
week-long visit, diplomatic sources said.
Yesterday he toured a telecommunications workshop in Beijing, officials said.
Pak visited China in 2004 accompanying DPRK's top leader Kim Jong
Il.
