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US asks North Korea to show talks commitment
The United States on Tuesday called on North Korea to demonstrate its desire to return to denuclearization talks as the reclusive state geared up for its biggest political meeting in decades.
"It is within the power of the North Koreans to come back to the table and fulfill the obligations that they agreed to in giving up their nuclear program and ensuring a nuclear-free Korean peninsula," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.
The comments came as a key US envoy prepared to visit the region for discussions on nonprofileration and with a leadership meeting in North Korea expected on September 28 which many analysts predict will anoint leader Kim Jong-Il's youngest son as his heir.
US officials declined to comment on the leadership meeting itself but said that regardless of who is in charge the reclusive country should live up to promises made in 2005 to give up its nuclear program.
"The way forward for North Korea is to live up to its commitments," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said when questioned about the North Korean situation.
"We're still seeking specific actions that we believe would signal its desire to return to six-party talks. Anything it can do on that front would be welcome," Toner said.
North Korea agreed in 2005 in six-nation talks -- which involve China, Japan, the two Koreas, Russia and the United States -- to give up its nuclear program in return for security guarantees and badly needed aid.
North Korea stormed out of the talks last year, accusing the United States of hostility. It later agreed to return to the table, but has insisted that it first be treated as a nuclear weapons state.
President Barack Obama's administration has pursued what it calls "strategic patience" with North Korea, saying it is ready to talk if North Korea comes around but that Washington will not offer any new package.
The United States has meanwhile led international efforts to ramp up sanctions.
The State Department said that Robert Einhorn, the special adviser on nonproliferation and arms control, would visit China from September 28 to 30 -- the same time as the meeting to North Korea.
Einhorn will "discuss a range of issues, but obviously (with a) heavy emphasis on Iran and North Korea," Toner said.
The State Department had previously announced Einhorn's travel plans but not the exact date. He visited South Korea and Japan last month.
Earlier Tuesday, North Korean media said the ruling communist party will meet on September 28 to elect top leaders.
The conference is widely expected to pave the way for Kim Jong-Un, youngest son of ailing 68-year-old leader Kim Jong-Il, to take over from his father in due course.
