North Korea proposes high-level talks with US

 

North Korea recently threatened nuclear and missile strikes against the US

North Korea has proposed high-level talks with the US, state media report. The National Defence Commission offered "serious discussions" to "secure peace and stability in the region and ease tension on the Korean peninsula", in a statement carried by KCNA news agency.

Washington could decide the time and venue, but there should be no preconditions, the statement added. On Thursday, the North cancelled the talks with the South that it had proposed, blaming "arrogant obstructions". The South's "deliberate disturbance" by changing the head of its delegation from the unification minister to a vice-minister had made the meeting "abortive". Seoul said it was disappointed.

Earlier this year, Pyongyang threatened the South and US with nuclear and missile strikes. The regime issued a string of strongly-worded statements after the UN imposed sanctions in response to a long-range rocket test in December and a nuclear test in February. It also cut hotlines used for emergency communication with the South, and withdrew workers from a joint industrial park.

On Friday, Pyongyang issued an appeal on the anniversary of the 2000 South-North Joint Declaration, calling on the South to change fundamentally its "policy of confrontation".
The National Defence Commission issued on Sunday said that in the meantime it proposed "high-level talks between the North and the US to secure peace and stability in the region and ease tension on the Korean peninsula".

Pyongyang was willing to have "serious discussions on a wide range of issues, including the US goal to achieve the world free of nuclear arsenal", it added. The National Defence Commission is headed by North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, who succeeded his father in December 2011.

Correspondents say the North has often sought to mix threats, and promises of co-operation in its dealings with the international community.

Timeline: Korean tensions

• 12 Feb: North conducts underground nuclear test
• 11 Mar: US-South Korea annual military drills begin
• 30 Mar: North says it is entering a "state of war" with South
• 2 Apr: North says it is restarting Yongbyon reactor
• 3-26 Apr: North precipitates the shutting down of Kaesong industrial zone
• 2 May: North jails US man for 15 years
• 22 May: North sends envoy to China
• 10 June North and South agree to government-level meeting in Seoul