1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Israel-Hamas warRussia's war in UkraineSouth Africa

Nuclear talks

August 1, 2011

After two days of talks with the US in New York, North Korea says it wants an early resumption of the six party denuclearization talks. The North walked out of these negotiations in 2009.

https://p.dw.com/p/RdKZ
North Korea called the talks with the US constructive
North Korea called the talks with the US constructiveImage: dapd

North Korea said Monday it was prepared to resume nuclear talks following "constructive" talks in New York last week. A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday the North will "resume the six party talks without preconditions at an early date" and comprehensively implement a September 2005 denuclearization deal on the principle of simultaneous action.

US special envoy to North Korea is expected to visit South Korea, China, and Japan in the coming weeks to discuss steps to revive the talks
US special envoy to North Korea is expected to visit South Korea, China, and Japan in the coming weeksImage: AP

There had been five rounds of six party nuclear disarmament talks between North Korea, South Korea, the US, China, Russia and Japan before Pyongyang walked out of the negotiations in April 2009, a month before its second atomic weapons test. The North's deadly artillery attack last November on a South Korean island further complicated efforts to restart nuclear dialogue.

This all changed last month when the chief nuclear negotiators from the two Koreas unexpectedly met in Bali, which prompted talks between the US and North Korea at the United Nations in New York last Thursday and Friday.

Showing commitment

On the last day of the talks, Washington said the "path is open" to better relations if the North shows a firm commitment to disarmament efforts. The North's spokesman said the "in-depth discussion" covered improving bilateral relations, ensuring stability in the Korean Peninsula and resuming the six party talks in a "sincere and constructive" atmosphere.

Pyongyang has indicated its interest in returning to the six party talks
Pyongyang has indicated its interest in returning to the six party talksImage: AP

"Both sides recognized that the improvement of the bilateral relations and the peaceful negotiated settlement of the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula conform with the interests of the two sides," the spokesman added.

South Korean Yonhap News Agency quoted anonymous diplomatic sources as saying US special envoy to North Korea Stephen Bosworth is expected to travel to South Korea, China and Japan in coming weeks to discuss the results of his meetings with Pyongyang officials as well as possible next steps to revive the six-way process. No timeframe was given for the next round in the agreed US-North Korean bilateral talks.

Author: Shivani Mathur (AFP, dpa, Reuters)
Editor: Sarah Berning

Skip next section Explore more

Explore more

North Korea called the first day of talks with the US constructive

First day of US-North Korean nuclear talks 'serious and businesslike'

First day of US-North Korean nuclear talks 'serious and businesslike'

The United States and North Korea have started exploratory talks in which Washington is looking for concrete signs that Pyongyang is ready to discuss its nuclear program after a more than two-year hiatus. (29.07.2011)
July 29, 2011
US Ambassador Stephen Bosworth meets North Korean Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan

North Korea warns of nuclear arms race before meeting with US

North Korea warns of nuclear arms race before meeting with US

The United States and North Korea hold talks on how to improve ties and the North's secretive atomic weapons program. A surprise meeting between North and South Korea in Bali paved the way for meeting. (28.07.2011)
July 28, 2011
Envoys from the two nations recently met at a summit in Indonesia

South Korea sends food to North Korea

South Korea sends food to North Korea

South Korea allows private organizations to deliver a total of 400 tons of flour aid to an impoverished North Korea, the first aid of its kind since the North's deadly attack on a border island last November. (26.07.2011)
July 26, 2011