Chinese, DPRK officials meet for nuclear talks
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E-mail CNTV, March 20, 2012
China's special representative for the Korean Peninsula, Wu Dawei, has met the DPRK's top delegate for the six-party talks, Ri Yong-Ho, in Beijing. This follows international concern over the country's announced plans to launch a satellite.
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China's special representative for the Korean Peninsula, Wu Dawei, meets the DPRK's top delegate for the six-party talks, Ri Yong-Ho in Beijing on March 19, 2012. [Photo: mfa.gov.cn] |
Peace on the Korean peninsula and pushing forward nuclear negotiations were the focus of the meeting.
Wu Dawei said, "During the meeting, we had detailed discussions on how to maintain the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. We also exchanged our views on the six-party talks."
As for the DPRK's recent announcement of plans to launch a satellite, Wu Dawei said they did talk about the issue but did not go into details.
Earlier, The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman had said China has taken note of the DPRK's satellite launch plan and called on all parties to exercise restraint.
Hong Lei, spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said, "We hope the relevant parties can maintain calm and restraint, and will refrain from further actions that may complicate the issue."
After the meeting, Ri Yong Ho reiterated his government's position over the issue.
Ri Yong Ho said, "The launching of the satellite is a separate issue from the recent negotiations between our country and the US. The launching of the satellite is part of our right to develop a space program. Our position is that we should implement the agreement from February 18th. We are also sending an invitation to IAEA inspectors to come to our country as part of implementing what has been agreed to."
As for the US warning that the launch could jeopardize the food aid agreement, Ri Yong Ho said that they would respond to any threats to its sovereignty.
Ri Yong Ho said, "Regarding the peaceful purpose of the satellite launch, if others are practising double standards or inappropriately interfere with our sovereign rights, we will be forced to react. But we will try our best to not let these things happen."
The DPRK's Central News Agency echoed these sentiments. They said the plan "poses no problem as it was prompted by its noble desire to improve the country's science and technology."
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