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US envoy extends N Korea visit US envoy extends N Korea visit
(about 1 hour later)
US envoy Christopher Hill has extended his visit to North Korea for at least another day, as he tries to rescue a troubled nuclear disarmament deal.US envoy Christopher Hill has extended his visit to North Korea for at least another day, as he tries to rescue a troubled nuclear disarmament deal.
North Korea has recently reneged on the deal, angry that it is still on the US terrorism blacklist despite submitting an account of its nuclear facilities.North Korea has recently reneged on the deal, angry that it is still on the US terrorism blacklist despite submitting an account of its nuclear facilities.
In protest, it has started restoring its main nuclear reactor at Yongbyon.In protest, it has started restoring its main nuclear reactor at Yongbyon.
Mr Hill's trip coincided with a meeting between officials from North and South Korea to discuss military issues.Mr Hill's trip coincided with a meeting between officials from North and South Korea to discuss military issues.
It was the first official meeting since the South's President Lee Myang-Bak took office in February.It was the first official meeting since the South's President Lee Myang-Bak took office in February.
A South Korean official was quoted as saying that the meeting had ended early, and little progress had been made.A South Korean official was quoted as saying that the meeting had ended early, and little progress had been made.
Compromise?Compromise?
Mr Hill had originally been expected to leave North Korea on Thursday afternoon.Mr Hill had originally been expected to leave North Korea on Thursday afternoon.
But according to the US state department and South Korean officials, he will stay at least another day in an effort to reach a compromise deal.But according to the US state department and South Korean officials, he will stay at least another day in an effort to reach a compromise deal.
The North-South talks ended early, with little progressFor years Pyongyang has been locked in talks over its nuclear ambitions with the US, China, Japan, Russia and South Korea, and Pyongyang finally began dismantling its facilities in November 2007 as part of a disarmament-for-aid deal.The North-South talks ended early, with little progressFor years Pyongyang has been locked in talks over its nuclear ambitions with the US, China, Japan, Russia and South Korea, and Pyongyang finally began dismantling its facilities in November 2007 as part of a disarmament-for-aid deal.
It handed over documentation on the programme in June this year, but Washington demanded further verification of the claims before removing the North from its list of states sponsoring terrorism.It handed over documentation on the programme in June this year, but Washington demanded further verification of the claims before removing the North from its list of states sponsoring terrorism.
Pyongyang refused and has now made moves to restart its plutonium reprocessing activities - which experts believe could be up and running within months.Pyongyang refused and has now made moves to restart its plutonium reprocessing activities - which experts believe could be up and running within months.
US state department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters that Mr Hill would propose ways to adjust the sequencing of steps North Korea must take as part of verification process.US state department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters that Mr Hill would propose ways to adjust the sequencing of steps North Korea must take as part of verification process.
China in the past has served "as a repository for documents and information" and could do the same this time, Mr McCormack added.China in the past has served "as a repository for documents and information" and could do the same this time, Mr McCormack added.
But in a sign of the challenges facing the nuclear deal, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday that the North might also be starting to restore the site where it conducted its first nuclear test in 2006.But in a sign of the challenges facing the nuclear deal, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday that the North might also be starting to restore the site where it conducted its first nuclear test in 2006.
Smoke was seen rising from the site in the country's remote north-east, a government source told Yonhap.Smoke was seen rising from the site in the country's remote north-east, a government source told Yonhap.
"We are closely watching to determine whether North Korea is working to repair the nuclear site," the source said."We are closely watching to determine whether North Korea is working to repair the nuclear site," the source said.
Difficult neighboursDifficult neighbours
The two Koreas have been technically at war since the 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce and not a peace pact.The two Koreas have been technically at war since the 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce and not a peace pact.
South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak's predecessors spent the best part of a decade trying to bring their isolated, communist neighbours in from the cold, establishing links in tourism and trade.South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak's predecessors spent the best part of a decade trying to bring their isolated, communist neighbours in from the cold, establishing links in tourism and trade.
But President Lee said if it was to continue on his watch, then North Korea must show progress towards giving up its nuclear weapons and improving its human rights record.But President Lee said if it was to continue on his watch, then North Korea must show progress towards giving up its nuclear weapons and improving its human rights record.
In return Pyongyang dubbed the conservative leader a "pro-American sycophant" and severed diplomatic contact.In return Pyongyang dubbed the conservative leader a "pro-American sycophant" and severed diplomatic contact.
Pyongyang's request for Thursday's military talks surprised many observers, but in the event little seems to have been achieved.Pyongyang's request for Thursday's military talks surprised many observers, but in the event little seems to have been achieved.
Officials said the meeting ended earlier than expected, casting doubts on the prospect of any progress.Officials said the meeting ended earlier than expected, casting doubts on the prospect of any progress.
Reports said the South had complained about insults to its president in the North's official media, while North Korea complained about leaflets spread by human rights activists from the South. North Korea is said to have demanded that the South stop civil rights activists sending propaganda leaflets into its territory.
In return the South called for the North to stop insulting its president - a vain hope it seems, because just as the talks ended North Korea's official media issued a report calling President Lee "a despicable human scum whom no one can trust".