DPRK hails "positive progress" in six-party nuclear talks

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Friday that "positive progress" had been made at the six-party nuclear talks earlier this week, especially on implementing a disarmament-for-aid deal.

The official KCNA news agency said all partners recognized "positive progress in the implementation of the measures taken at the second phase specified in the September 19 joint statement."

The international community's efforts to extend economic compensation for nuclear disarmament were welcomed, it added.

Negotiators from China, the DPRK, the United States, Russia, South Korea and Japan wrapped up a new round of six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula on Thursday in Beijing, without registering substantive progress on the verification of the DPRK's nuclear program.

Under an agreement reached at the talks in February 2007, the DPRK agreed to abandon all nuclear weapons and programs. It also promised to declare all its nuclear programs and facilities by the end of 2007 in return for diplomatic and economic incentives.

 

S Korean FM says latest six-party talks not a failure       SEOUL, Dec. 12 (Xinhua)-- South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan said Friday that the latest six-party talks on the nuclear issues was not a failure.

Korean Peninsula nuclear talks end with chairman's statement 
  BEIJING, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The six parties involved in the Korean Peninsula nuclear talks concluded their latest round of negotiations on Thursday, without registering substantive progress.

  "The parties evaluated progress made towards an agreement on terms for verification," said a chairman's statement issued at the end of the talks.