SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- South Korean Foreign Minister Ban
Ki-moon Sunday expressed hope that the new round six-way talks on nuclear
issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) would take place
this month.
"The DPRK had offered to hold new talks in early January. I think
there is a possibility six-party talks could be convened within February
in view of various political situations," Ban saidin an interview with the
Yonhap News Agency.
However, Ban also said that at the current stage it is not
appropriate for the DPRK to demand the US make a series of concessions as
a precondition for the abolishment of its atomic weapons program.
The DPRK said in January that it will suspend its nuclear programs
as a first step if the US lifts sanctions, resumes oil shipments and
removes Pyongyang from its list of terrorism-sponsoring countries. But
Washington has demanded Pyongyang verifiably dismantle its nuclear
programs before any concessions.
"The DPRK should pledge that it will dismantle all of its nuclear
programs, including high enrichment of uranium, completely,verifiably and
irreversibly," Ban said.
"A nuclear freeze is the first step in a nuclear dismantlement.A
verification means an inspection so nuclear inspections should follow," he
said.
China, the DPRK, the US, Russia, South Korea and Japan held the
first round nuclear talks in Beijing last August. The concerning parties
have made a lot of efforts to resume such talks as early as possible.
On Sunday, US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly came to Seoul
for consultations with South Korean officials on the nuclearissue.