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S.Korean defence minister heads to Beijing for N.Korea talks
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-30 15:40

South Korean Defence Minister Yoon Kwang-Ung left Seoul for Beijing for talks focused on resolving the stand-off over North Korea's nuclear ambitions, the defence ministry said.

Yoon is scheduled to meet with his Chinese counterpart Cao Gangchuan later and other ranking Chinese military officials during his four-day stay, ministry officials said.

South Korea's Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-Ung, seen in Seoul at his inauguration ceremony, 29 July 2004, left for Beijing for talks focused on resolving the stand-off over North Korea's nuclear ambitions. [AFP/File]

"The two ministers will have talks focusing on ways to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue peacefully, to ease military tensions on the Korean peninsula and other issues of mutual concern," the ministry said in a press statement.

"Minister Yoon will also meet with other ranking Chinese officials and ask for constructive roles from China for peace on the Korean peninsula and the development of inter-Korean relations," it said.

Yoon was invited by the defence minister of China.

The visit comes at a time when China is being pressed by the United States and US allies to step up efforts to bring North Korea back to six-party talks aimed at ending its nuclear weapons programme.

Pyongyang declared on February 10 that it has nuclear weapons and that it was indefinitely suspending its participation in the dialogue.

The head of the US delegation in the six-party talks, Christopher Hill, said Tuesday that it was imperative North Korea returns to the table.

"We can't be negotiating with an empty chair so we have to encourage -- all of us -- getting the North Korean staff to the table.

"In particular, China, which is hosting these talks... has a special interest in making sure that all the participants come to the table," he said.

China hosted three rounds of the talks which also included the United States, Japan, Russia and South Korea and North Korea.

But North Korea boycotted a fourth round scheduled for last September, citing "hostile" US policy.

Chinese President Hu Jintao, meanwhile, is considering his first-ever visit to North Korea for talks with Kim Jong-Il.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said last week Kim had invited Hu and arrangements were being made. Japanese reports said he would go in May, but Liu Tuesday declined to comment on this.

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