The United States wants the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to provide a complete declaration of its nuclear programs before a new government is inaugurated in the Republic of Korea (ROK) next month, the top US nuclear envoy said yesterday.
The date marks a new deadline for the DPRK after it failed to complete the declaration to Washington's satisfaction by the end of last year as it had promised to do.
After meeting ROK President-elect Lee Myung-bak in Seoul, US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said he hoped Pyongyang could complete its previously agreed steps - disabling its nuclear facilities and providing the declaration - so it can move on to dismantling the nuclear facilities.
"I think it is very desirable if we could complete the phase two even before (Lee's) government comes in, so that by the time his government does come at the end of February, we'll be focusing on that last stage," Hill told reporters at Incheon International Airport before departing for Beijing.
Lee is set to be inaugurated on February 25, ending a decade of liberal rule in the ROK by outgoing President Roh Moo-hyun and his predecessor Kim Dae-jung, who have pursued a policy of economic and political engagement with the DPRK.
Hill said he briefed Lee on the status of Pyongyang's nuclear disarmament procedures, noting the DPRK's failure to account for its nuclear programs was a key sticking point.
"Obviously, we have a bit of bumps in the road over the declaration, but I think everyone agrees we need a declaration that is complete and correct. That is more important than a timely declaration," Hill said.
The DPRK said last week it had already provided the US with the declaration, but Washington says Pyongyang has not yet given a complete accounting.
The US envoy said he has emphasized to the DPRK that Washington will live up to its promises under an aid-for-disarmament deal if the Pyongyang keeps its pledge to provide the declaration. "I tried to emphasize to the North Koreans if we get through the declaration, we'll do what we are supposed to do," Hill said. (North Korea refers to the DPRK.)
The DPRK was promised the equivalent of 1 million tons of oil and political concessions at international disarmament talks in return for disabling and declaring its nuclear programs. The US has also said it would remove the North from terrorism and sanctions blacklists.
Hill said it was possible to end Pyongyang's nuclear arms program this year despite Pyongyang missing the deadline. "There is no reason why we cannot finish the job in '08," Hill told reporters after meeting Lee.
"Throughout the six-party process, we have had these bumps in the road. We have had these missed deadlines but that ultimately we have been able to continue with the progress," Hill said.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
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