Asia-Pacific

No six-party talks before addressing warship sinking: S Korea

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-22 14:27

SEOUL - The six-way talks aimed at ridding the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) of its nuclear programs would not resume before addressing the sinking of a South Korean warship currently blamed on Pyongyang, South Korea's top diplomat said Tuesday.

"The government will discuss resuming six-party talks with countries concerned after completing its response," Yu reportedly said.

Yu reiterated Seoul's stance that Pyongyang should make actual progress in the denuclearization process, and that the government would pursue a so-called "grand bargain" approach once the stalled talks reopen.

The approach, called for by South Korean President Lee Myung- bak, is aimed at achieving the DPRK's denuclearization at once, rather than gradually approaching the goal in phases, in return for international aid and other incentives for Pyongyang.

The minister's remarks come at a time when two Koreas are making their separate cases at the UN Security Council over alleged Pyongyang's torpedo attack on a navy corvette, which killed 46 South Korean seamen.

Seoul is hoping to adopt a new resolution or a strongly worded presidential statement condemning its wartime rival, which denies its involvement.

Fifty-eight countries and five international organizations have rebuked the DPRK and shown support for South Korea's response to the deadly incident, Yu reportedly said.