A high-ranking North Korean official said that Pyongyang intends to return to the six-party talks table provided that Washington lifts freezing North Korean accounts at Banco Delta Asia (BDA). According to a source, BDA was accused of laundering money for North Korea. The official reiterated that the first purpose of the North Korean nuclear test is not to possess nuclear weapons, but to use as a measure for negotiating with Washington, adding that whether North Korea conducts additional nuclear tests or not solely depends on the attitude of Washington.

In conjunction with the Asian trip of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, it is reported that during a meeting with Tang, Chinese special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao, North Korean leader Kim Jung Il mentioned the possibility returning to the six-party talks while saying ‘additional nuclear tests.’ A government source stated that after the meeting with Kim Jung Il, Tang met with Kang Seok Joo with more specific details about additional nuclear tests and restoring the six-party talks. According to the source, Kim Jung Il and Kang promised not to conduct additional nuclear tests, “provided Washington does not interrupt Pyongyang.”

The source said North Korea urged Washington to lift its financial sanctions, saying, “If Washington asks us to return to the six-party table, we will do that. But Washington has to lift financial sanctions on North Korea after restoration of the talks.” The South Korean government believes that such a changed attitude by North Korea can play a positive role for cooling down the tension on the Korean peninsula. Pyongyang has consistently held firm to its demand that the U.S. should lift financial sanctions that have blocked Pyongyang's access to banks abroad, as a precondition to return to the six-party talks.

According to another government source, “As it is first time top-ranking North Korean officials mentioned the conditional suspension of additional nuclear tests, we have to take a close look at the milieu of North Korea.” Kim's comments to the Chinese envoy could provide an opening to restart the six-party talks. But US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice revealed in an interview with CNN, “However, there was no special confirmation from North Korea that they will return to the talks.”

입력시간: 2006. 10.25. 09:27