This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-asia-16361378

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Top US envoy Kurt Campbell to hold North Korea talks North Korea tells world to 'expect no change'
(40 minutes later)
The US is to send one of its top diplomats to East Asia to discuss the situation in North Korea in the wake of leader Kim Jong-il's death. North Korea has told the international community not to "expect any change" in the wake of Kim Jong-il's death.
Kurt Campbell will hold talks in Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo from 3-7 January, the State Department said. The message came in a statement carried by state media and attributed to the powerful National Defence Commission.
The announcement came as the US and South Korean defence ministers held telephone talks on the issue. "We declare solemnly and confidently that the foolish politicians around the world, including the puppet group in South Korea, should not expect any change from us," it said.
Kim Jong-il's son is North Korea's new leader - but neighbours fear the power transition could bring instability. Kim Jong-il died on 17 December of a heart attack, state media said.
Mr Kim died of a heart attack on 17 December, aged 69, state media said. He had ruled North Korea since the death of his father Kim Il-sung in 1994. He had ruled North Korea since the death of his father Kim Il-sung in 1994. Under him funds were channelled to the military and North Korea conducted two nuclear tests.
His son, Kim Jong-un, has been named "supreme leader of the party, state and army".His son, Kim Jong-un, has been named "supreme leader of the party, state and army".
The young man - who is thought to be in his late twenties and is politically inexperienced - was hailed by top party and military officials in front of a huge crowd at a national memorial service for Kim Jong-il on Thursday. 'Over-arching priority'
Hundreds of thousands of North Korean troops and citizens lined up for the ceremony in Pyongyang's main square. North Korea's neighbours are watching to see whether the leadership change will affect Pyongyang's ties with the international community.
'Overarching priority' The impoverished communist state remains technically at war with South Korea and is isolated on the international stage because of its dire human rights record and pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Kurt Campbell, who is the Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, is America's top diplomat on North Korea. He will be the most senior US official to visit the region since Kim Jong-il died.
The US and South Korean defence chiefs, meanwhile, spoke for 20 minutes about issues on the Korean peninsula.
The two "shared the view that peace and stability on the Korean peninsula is our overarching priority and agreed to maintain close co-operation and co-ordination in the weeks and months ahead", the Pentagon said in a statement.
Kim Jong-il was in the process of formalising his son as his successor when he died. North Korea's neighbours are now watching to see whether the leadership change will affect Pyongyang's ties with the international community.
North Korea, an impoverished communist state which remains technically at war with South Korea, is isolated on the international stage because of its dire human rights record and its pursuit of nuclear weapons. It has carried out two nuclear tests.
Six-nation talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions - involving the two Koreas, China, the US, Russia and Japan - have been stalled for months.Six-nation talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions - involving the two Koreas, China, the US, Russia and Japan - have been stalled for months.
Amid regional concern, the US is to send one of its top diplomats to East Asia to discuss the situation in North Korea.
Kurt Campbell will hold talks in Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo from 3-7 January, the State Department said.
Mr Campbell, who is the Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, will be the most senior US official to visit the region since Kim Jong-il died.
The US and South Korean defence chiefs, meanwhile, spoke for 20 minutes about issues on the Korean peninsula on Thursday.
The two "shared the view that peace and stability on the Korean peninsula is our overarching priority and agreed to maintain close co-operation and co-ordination in the weeks and months ahead", the Pentagon said in a statement.
On Thursday North Korea held a national memorial service for Kim Jong-il, ending the period of mourning.
Hundreds of thousands of North Korean troops and citizens lined up for the ceremony in Pyongyang's main square.
Top party and military officials hailed Kim Jong-un, the young and politically inexperienced new leader, in front of the huge crowd.