DPRK must return to six-party talks first: U.S. senior diplomat

SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- A senior U.S. diplomat said on Wednesday that the next essential step for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is to return to the six-party nuclear disarmament talks before any discussions over political, strategic, economic and financial issues.

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs Kurt Campbell made the remark after meeting with his South Korean counterpart, Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Yong-joon, earlier in the day.

"It is essential ... to make very clear to our North Korean interlocutors that the essential next step is really the six-party talks, not discussions on other matters... it's possible to have discussions on other matters within the six-party framework. But that six-party framework is essential going forward," Campbell told reporters.

The U.S. diplomat said the DPRK must abide by its commitments made in the six-party accords signed in 2005 and 2007. "Until those steps are taken, the United States will not be prepared either to ease sanctions nor begin discussions on other issues like establishment of a peace regime," he said.

Campbell noted that his country welcomed efforts made by South Korea to reach out to the DPRK, and close coordination is underway between Washington and Seoul.

Campbell arrived here late Tuesday from Japan on a three-day visit.

While arriving in Kimpo airport, the U.S. diplomat said it is too early to talk about lifting sanctions imposed on Pyongyang given that the six-party talks have not been resumed.