DPRK´s nuclear envoy kicks off US tour to mend relations

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-02-2007 09:09

The DPRK's nuclear envoy Kim Kye-gwan is on his way to the US to mend relations.

Meanwhile, a South Korean delegation is in the DPRK for inter-ministerial talks that had been stalled since the DPRK's nuclear test in October.

Kim Kye-gwan is expected to arrive in San Francisco Thursday and will meet non-governmental groups before travelling to New York Friday.

Kim Kye-gwan said, "I will meet Christopher Hill and discuss needed issues. We will have to wait and see the results."

The DPRK's top legislator Kim Yong-nam met with South Korean Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung in Pyongyang Thursday. Kim assured the visiting delegation that his country will make efforts to denuclearize.

South Korean reports on the talks say Lee urged the DPRK to implement a pledge made with the US and four other countries, to take initial steps to disarm.

The DPRK has proposed that both countries resume economic cooperation talks in March but Seoul's opposed to holding talks so soon.

This week's cabinet-level meetings, the highest-level regular contact between both countries, are the first in seven months.

Talks resumed last month after the DPRK pledged to shut down its main nuclear reactor within 60 days, in exchange for aid.

Editor:Du Xiaodan