This article is from the source 'nytimes' 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.nytimes.com/2014/10/03/world/asia/north-korea-ready-to-start-nuclear-talks.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
North Korea Ready to Start Nuclear Talks North Korea Ready to Start Nuclear Talks
(35 minutes later)
GENEVA — A senior North Korean envoy said Thursday that his country was ready to resume six-party talks on its nuclear program, but must maintain its readiness in the face of joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea.GENEVA — A senior North Korean envoy said Thursday that his country was ready to resume six-party talks on its nuclear program, but must maintain its readiness in the face of joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea.
In an interview, North Korea’s ambassador to the United Nations, So Se-pyong, also said his country was not planning a nuclear test and that reports that its leader, Kim Jong-un, was ill were “fabricated rumors.” In an interview, North Korea’s ambassador to the United Nations, So Se-pyong, also said that his country was not planning a nuclear test and that reports that its leader, Kim Jong-un, was ill were “fabricated rumors.”
The negotiations over North Korea’s nuclear program have stalled, but in Geneva, Mr. So said, “We are ready,” adding, “I think China and Russia and the D.P.R.K. are ready,” referring to his country, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. He continued: “But America, they don’t like that kind of talks right now. Because America does not like that, so that’s why the countries like South Korea, Japan also are not ready for those talks.”The negotiations over North Korea’s nuclear program have stalled, but in Geneva, Mr. So said, “We are ready,” adding, “I think China and Russia and the D.P.R.K. are ready,” referring to his country, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. He continued: “But America, they don’t like that kind of talks right now. Because America does not like that, so that’s why the countries like South Korea, Japan also are not ready for those talks.”
North Korea promised to abandon its nuclear program in 2005, but appeared to renege on the agreement when it tested nuclear devices in 2006 and 2009. North Korea promised to abandon its nuclear program in 2005, but it appeared to renege on the agreement when it tested nuclear devices in 2006 and 2009.
In light of American and South Korean military exercises, Mr. So said, “We have to be alert, also, we have to be prepared to make countermeasures.” Asked specifically whether North Korea was preparing a nuclear test or to fire a missile, he replied, “No, no.” In light of American and South Korean military exercises, Mr. So said, “We have to be alert; also, we have to be prepared to make countermeasures.” Asked whether North Korea was preparing a nuclear test or to fire a missile, he replied, “No, no.”
Mr. So said that denuclearization “is the party’s policy.”Mr. So said that denuclearization “is the party’s policy.”
Questions about Mr. Kim’s health were prompted by his failure to appear in public for weeks, and then a video that showed him limping. But Mr. So denied Mr. Kim had had surgery on his ankles, and asked about the nature of his ailment, Mr. So said, “That is rumors, fabricated rumors.” Questions about Mr. Kim’s health were prompted by his failure to appear in public for weeks, and then by a video that showed him limping. But Mr. So denied that Mr. Kim had had surgery on his ankles, and asked about the nature of his ailment, Mr. So said, “That is rumors, fabricated rumors.”
Meanwhile, Mr. So said it was not clear that the United States was willing to negotiate the release of three Americans held by North Korea. “I was told that they asked for the government of America to have negotiations on those problems,” Mr. So said, “but I don’t know whether America is ready or not to release them, or have some understandings or the recognition of those crimes they made.” Mr. So said it was not clear that the United States was willing to negotiate the release of three Americans held by North Korea. “I was told that they asked for the government of America to have negotiations on those problems,” Mr. So said, “but I don’t know whether America is ready or not to release them, or have some understandings or the recognition of those crimes they made.”