2 Koreas hold rare talks amid nuclear tension

Dantheman62 · 06-11-2009, 04:18 AM

By KWANG-TAE KIM, Associated Press Writer Kwang-tae Kim, Associated Press Writer – 28 mins ago

SEOUL, South Korea – The two Koreas held rare talks lasting 50 minutes Thursday on the fate of a troubled industrial park, set up jointly as a symbol of reconciliation that is now a source of friction amid fears about North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

The talks at the factory park in the North Korean border town of Kaesong came as the U.N. moved closer to imposing new sanctions on North Korea for testing an atomic device on May 25 in defiance of a U.N. ban.

South Korea was expected to demand the release of one of its citizens detained at the Kaesong Industrial Complex since late March for allegedly denouncing the North's political system. Pyongyang has rejected Seoul's repeated requests for his release, and details of his status remained unclear.

Thursday's talks are only the second meeting between civilian officials from the two sides in more than a year, a reflection of the deeply frayed relations and mistrust between the nations struggling to push ahead reconciliation efforts.

South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung said the talks broke up after 50 minutes, but added that it was unclear whether the two sides would continue in the afternoon.

On Wednesday, Western powers reached agreement with North Korea's allies on a proposal to punish Pyongyang for its latest nuclear test. The new sanctions would put tough restrictions on Pyongyang's exports and financial dealings, and allow inspections of suspect cargo in ports and on the high seas.

The agreement awaits approval by the U.N. Security Council.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090611/...oreas_tensions

06-11-2009, 04:18 AM	#1
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	2 Koreas hold rare talks amid nuclear tension By KWANG-TAE KIM, Associated Press Writer Kwang-tae Kim, Associated Press Writer – 28 mins ago SEOUL, South Korea – The two Koreas held rare talks lasting 50 minutes Thursday on the fate of a troubled industrial park, set up jointly as a symbol of reconciliation that is now a source of friction amid fears about North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. The talks at the factory park in the North Korean border town of Kaesong came as the U.N. moved closer to imposing new sanctions on North Korea for testing an atomic device on May 25 in defiance of a U.N. ban. South Korea was expected to demand the release of one of its citizens detained at the Kaesong Industrial Complex since late March for allegedly denouncing the North's political system. Pyongyang has rejected Seoul's repeated requests for his release, and details of his status remained unclear. Thursday's talks are only the second meeting between civilian officials from the two sides in more than a year, a reflection of the deeply frayed relations and mistrust between the nations struggling to push ahead reconciliation efforts. South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung said the talks broke up after 50 minutes, but added that it was unclear whether the two sides would continue in the afternoon. On Wednesday, Western powers reached agreement with North Korea's allies on a proposal to punish Pyongyang for its latest nuclear test. The new sanctions would put tough restrictions on Pyongyang's exports and financial dealings, and allow inspections of suspect cargo in ports and on the high seas. The agreement awaits approval by the U.N. Security Council. For the rest of the article.......................... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090611/...oreas_tensions