Chinese state media are reporting North Korean leader Kim Jong-il says he is willing to participate in both bilateral and multilateral talks on his country's controversial nuclear program.
| And all we have to do is close our missile defense units in Alaska and Vandenberg ... |
China's official Xinhua news agency says Kim told visiting Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo on Friday the North would continue to pursue the goal of "denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula. Xinhua says Kim told the envoy his country is willing to resolve relevant problems through bilateral and multilateral talks.
Dai traveled to North Korea this week as a special envoy for Chinese President Hu Jintao. China is North Korea's principal ally and has hosted the six-nation disarmament talks since 2003.
North Korea pulled out of the talks in April after the international community criticized its launch of a rocket other nations suspected was a test of long-range missile technology. Since then, the North has insisted it only wants direct talks the United States. Washington says direct talks with Pyongyang could help get the North return to the six-nation talks. |