Diplomat: U.S. government open to dialogue with North Korea

[News_Editor]

Diplomat: U.S. government open to dialogue with North Korea

2012-02-01 20:48:17 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- The U.S. government is open to diplomacy with North Korea under the new leadership of Kim Jong-un, a senior U.S. diplomat told reporters on Wednesday.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, a key diplomat between the United States and Asia, told reporters in the South Korean capital of Seoul that the U.S. government would have no problem strengthening its relationship with North Korea. "We are open to diplomacy with North Korea," he was quoted as saying by the Korea Times.

But Campbell went on to say that such a dialogue would only be possible if North Korea decides to follow a clear set of steps. "There's a very clear set of steps that we think are necessary. The steps have been closely coordinated with Japan and particularly with South Korea and we're still waiting to see whether the new government in North Korea is prepared to take the necessary steps." he said.

Last month, the communist state announced the death of its leader Kim Jong-il. According to the North Korean government, he died on December 17 after suffering an 'advanced, acute myocardial infarction, complicated with a heart shock,' while on a train for a 'field guidance tour.' Observers believe the leader actually died at home in Pyongyang.

The United States has been meeting with Asian leaders in Seoul for the past few days and the renewed call for talks, mainly over North Korea's nuclear program, comes just weeks after Kim Jong-un assumed power as Supreme Leader following the death of his father.

Six-party nuclear disarmament talks have been stalled since late 2008 due to North Korea's anger over United Nations sanctions. It was followed by a nuclear test in North Korea's North Hamgyong province on May 25, 2009, as well as a series of test-firings of missiles.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-02-01

[Pedzie]

Let's hope that the new leader in North Korea see's sense. Surely the people of that country have suffered enough. A united Korean peninsula would be a great economic power given time.

[geriatrickid]

Let's hope that the new leader in North Korea see's sense. Surely the people of that country have suffered enough. A united Korean peninsula would be a great economic power given time.

China will not allow a united Korea, nor does the South really want to be burdened with what will be a long term basket case of a region. North Korea's population would need at least 2 generations to die before it could clear out the national mental illness that is the cult of worship for the Kim dynasty.

[Steely Dan]

Let's hope that the new leader in North Korea see's sense. Surely the people of that country have suffered enough. A united Korean peninsula would be a great economic power given time.

China will not allow a united Korea, nor does the South really want to be burdened with what will be a long term basket case of a region. North Korea's population would need at least 2 generations to die before it could clear out the national mental illness that is the cult of worship for the Kim dynasty.

Yep, agreed, any totalitarian ideology that has taken root for long enough will poison the minds of it's children rendering the entire generation in need of psychiatric help. At least at the moment there isn't a massive influx of ego stunted North Koreans flooding into the west, though I'm sure they would be made welcome if there were.

[Scott]

I doubt there is any idol worship that can't be overcome with a big screen TV and an iPhone.

[Pedzie]

Let's hope that the new leader in North Korea see's sense. Surely the people of that country have suffered enough. A united Korean peninsula would be a great economic power given time.

China will not allow a united Korea, nor does the South really want to be burdened with what will be a long term basket case of a region. North Korea's population would need at least 2 generations to die before it could clear out the national mental illness that is the cult of worship for the Kim dynasty.

Yeah I can see your point with this one, the people of the north have been stuck in a time warp and people of the south are so high tech etc, hard to see the 2 mixing so easily :-)

Maybe the people of the north aren't that backwards as we may think, they at least know about the outside world. Fear rules in the north, without fear then who knows they could make the transition fairly quickly

[Steely Dan]

I doubt there is any idol worship that can't be overcome with a big screen TV and an iPhone.

I'd love to address your 'idol' speculation, but I fear that would lead us off topic.

[Scott]

You are correct, SD and it was just a smart alec remark on my part.