UN chief voices hope to see DPRK nuclear issue resolved through dialogue

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday met with the head of the delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Vice Foreign Minister Park Gil Yon, voicing his hope again that "the nuclear and other outstanding issues will be resolved through dialogue."

A statement, issued by Ban's spokesperson after their meeting, said, "The secretary-general met this afternoon with the head of the DPRK delegation, Vice Foreign Minister Park Gil Yon and discussed matters of mutual interests and concerns, including UN-DPRK relations as well as the nuclear, humanitarian and human rights issues."

"The Secretary-General reiterated his sincere hope that the nuclear and other outstanding issues will be resolved through dialogue," the statement said.

Park is here to attend the annual debate of the General Assembly, which opened here last Wednesday, and scheduled to speak at the Assembly on Monday.

The secretary-general "took note of the reported intention of the DPRK to engage in both bilateral and multilateral dialogue with the concerned parties," the statement said. "The secretary-general encouraged the DPRK to respond positively to the recent initiatives by the concerned parties."

"The secretary-general also expressed concern about the humanitarian and human rights situation in the DPRK," the statement said. "He highlighted the need for proactive action to enhance donor commitments to meet the serious food security needs. He encouraged the DPRK to increase access and information sharing."

"On human rights issues, the secretary-general emphasized the importance of the Universal Periodic Review by the Human Rights Council," the statement said.

Parties concerned are making diplomatic efforts to persuade the DPRK to return to the Six-Party Talks, but Pyongyang said it will never return to the talks.