-
≡ Seoul's Top Nuclear Envoy Says US-N. Korea Talks Could Resume Soon
South Korea's top nuclear envoy Lee Do-hoon says it is possible nuclear talks between North Korea and the U.S. will happen soon as the two sides remain in constant communication.
Lee made the remark to reporters in Washington on Thursday, stressing the need for an early resumption of denuclearization negotiations in order for the two sides to express their honest opinions.
Regarding the North's recent demands for a "new calculation method" from the U.S., Lee said Washington will have to find out exactly what that means when working-level discussions resume.
Lee is scheduled to hold talks with his counterpart Stephen Biegun Friday to review ways to maintain the momentum for dialogue with the North.■[2019.09.20]
-
≡ Trump Hints At 'New Method' For N. Korea Denuclearization Talks
U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that a "new method" could help break the impasse in denuclearization talk with North Korea.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Trump also criticized his former national security adviser, John Bolton, for advocating the "Libyan model" in talks with the North.
[Clip: Trump: 00:10]
"He said the 'Libyan model.' That set us back very badly when he said that. So I think John really should take a look at how badly they've done in the past and maybe a new method would be very good."
The model calls for North Korea to unilaterally dismantle its nuclear weapons program before any concessions are made in return which Pyongyang views as a threat to topple its regime.
Bolton, who was forced to resign this month, also reportedly took aim at the president and his policies at a private event on Wednesday.
Denuclearization negotiations are expected to resume later this month, although no meetings have been scheduled yet.■
[2019.09.20]
-
≡ S. Korea Designated As Illegal Fishing Country By US
The United States has made a preliminary decision to designate South Korea as a country that engages in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service said in a report released Thursday that South Korea failed to stop its vessels from engaging in illegal fishing activities.
The move came after two South Korean fishing boats failed to comply with regulations while operating near Antarctica in 2017, despite receiving notification of the closure of the fishing grounds.
According to the report, Korean authorities temporarily suspended their licenses but imposed no fines and did not confiscate their catch, finding insufficient evidence that the violations were intentional.
This is the second time South Korea has been put on a preliminary list of illegal fishing countries after the European Union made a similar decision in 2013.■[2019.09.20]
