US, South Korea press North to return to nuclear talks
Updated: Thursday, November 19, 2009
14:00GMT—9:00AM/EST
Washington, 19 November (WashingtonTV)—US President Barack Obama and his South Korean counterpart, Lee Muyng-bak, pressed North Korea on Thursday to return to stalled six-party disarmament talks.
Speaking in Seoul, Obama said it was time for Pyongyang to break a pattern of provocative behavior.
He said that US special envoy, Stephen Bosworth, would go to Pyongyang on 8 December for talks.
The United States is willing to provide economic assistance to the North and promote its integration into the international community, if it takes “concrete and irreversible steps” to eliminate its nuclear weapons program, Obama said, according to CNN.
“That opportunity and respect will not come with threats. North Korea must live up to its obligations,” he added.
For his part, Lee said that North Korea could secure massive economic aid if it renounces its nuclear arms ambitions, reports Reuters.
North Korea quit the six-party talks in April, in protest to United Nations condemnation of its long-range missile test.
Sources: CNN News, Reuters
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