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US envoy opens talks on N Korea The chief US negotiator on North Korea,
Christopher Hill, is visiting China to discuss the international response
to the North's missile tests. South Korea's defence minister played down reports the North was preparing to launch a second long-range missile. The US has backed a Japanese plan for sanctions on North Korea, but China has so far opposed any punitive measures. Instead, Beijing wants more diplomacy and is sending its chief negotiator with the North to Pyongyang next week. North Korea on Friday proposed military talks with the South, but Seoul refused, citing the current high levels of tension. But South Korea said it did intend to go ahead with cabinet-level talks next week. The North had harsher words for Japan, demanding
that it immediately revoke the measures it has already imposed in reaction
to the missile launches - such as a six-month ban on a ferry service
that provides a vital economic link for Pyongyang. The North tested seven missiles on Wednesday, one of which was a long-range Taepodong-2, believed to be capable of hitting Alaska. Pyongyang described the tests as successful, despite the apparent failure of the Taepodong-2. All seven missiles landed in the Sea of Japan. South Korea's Defence Minister Yoon Kwang-ung was quoted by the Yonhap news agency as saying the North may have moved two Taepodong-2 missiles to its launch site in Musudan-ri, one of which was tested. But he said Japanese media reports that the missile was being prepared for launch were inaccurate, as the second missile was not yet assembled. "(Before the missile launches) we obtained the intelligence on North Korea's transportation of two sets of Taepodong-2 missile systems to Musudan-ri. The other missile system did not appear to be assembled yet," he said, according to Yonhap. International divisions US envoy Christopher Hill's visit to Beijing is the first stop on a regional tour to discuss the missile tests.
He plans to travel to Seoul later in the day. US President George W Bush has also been spearheading efforts to agree a joint response to North Korea's actions. On Thursday night he stressed the need for the international community to "speak with one voice" in response to the tests. The message to Kim Jong-il should be: "There is a better way forward for you than isolating yourself," he said. The UN Security Council was due to resume debate on Friday on a draft resolution in response to the launches. The document, co-sponsored by the US, UK and Japan,
calls for sanctions against North Korea, but there are key differences
among the major powers, with China and Russia opposed to punitive measures. Canberra's response Australia announced on Friday that it would scale back its diplomatic ties with North Korea in light of the missile tests. The head of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Michael L'Estrange, did not elaborate on what the changes might be, but he confirmed that Australia would not halt its humanitarian programme in the country. Australia is one of just a handful of countries with limited diplomatic relations with Pyongyang. ---------------------------------------------------
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