YONHAP NEWS

Seoul denies differences with U.S. over inter-Korean summit

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Feb. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea rejected Thursday reports of a possible schism with the United States over the timing of a potential inter-Korean summit, saying that a senior U.S. diplomat made clear that Washington supports Seoul's efforts for any dialogue with Pyongyang.

   Speculation about differences between Seoul and Washington came after U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell emphatically stressed Wednesday that North Korea's return to the stalled international nuclear talks is the "essential next step."

   Campbell's trip to Seoul came amid widespread reports that the two Koreas might be working to set up a summit, and the U.S. diplomat's remark was seen by some as suggesting that Washington might be opposed to an inter-Korean summit before six-nation nuclear talks resume.

   On Thursday, Seoul's Foreign Ministry spokesman Kim Young-sun said that Campbell's remarks were only meant to urge North Korea's prompt return to the stalled negotiations.

   "Assistant Secretary Campbell will have to explain his own remarks, but the government believes they were meant to be a message to North Korea," he said. "There is no difference in position between the two sides."

   The spokesman also said that Campbell made clear that he and his government fully support our government's efforts for a South-North Korea summit. "The countries also noted there was very close coordination between the two sides on the issue and that they will continue to maintain such cooperation," he added.

   Kim also said an inter-Korean summit will be desirable if it helps ensure North Korea's return to the six-party talks involving the two Koreas, the U.S., Japan, China and Russia.

   "The government believes an early return of North Korea to the six-party talks will also be desirable as it can help foster an environment for an inter-Korean summit," the spokesman added.

   South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said last month that he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-il at any time as long as such a meeting helps lead to the denuclearization of the communist nation.

   The nuclear negotiations have been stalled since late 2008 while Pyongyang says it will not return to the talks until the U.S. and other relevant parties begin discussions on formally ending the Korean War with a peace treaty and the removal of U.N.-imposed sanctions.

   bdk@yna.co.kr
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