This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6186871.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| N Korea warning to 'hostile' US | N Korea warning to 'hostile' US |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| North Korea will not halt its nuclear programme unless the US gives up its "hostile policies", a South Korean official at key talks has said. | North Korea will not halt its nuclear programme unless the US gives up its "hostile policies", a South Korean official at key talks has said. |
| The demand came as six-nation talks on the issue, which have been suspended for a year, resumed in Beijing. | The demand came as six-nation talks on the issue, which have been suspended for a year, resumed in Beijing. |
| North Korea alarmed the world by testing a nuclear device in October, prompting the UN to impose arms and other sanctions. | North Korea alarmed the world by testing a nuclear device in October, prompting the UN to impose arms and other sanctions. |
| The US has warned that Pyongyang is facing "a fork in the road". | The US has warned that Pyongyang is facing "a fork in the road". |
| Observers say there will be relief the talks are resuming but scepticism about the chance of a major breakthrough. | Observers say there will be relief the talks are resuming but scepticism about the chance of a major breakthrough. |
| N KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAMME Believed to have 'handful' of nuclear weaponsBut not thought to have any small enough to put in a missileCould try dropping from plane, though world watching closely | N KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAMME Believed to have 'handful' of nuclear weaponsBut not thought to have any small enough to put in a missileCould try dropping from plane, though world watching closely |
| The negotiations also include China, Japan, Russia and South Korea. | The negotiations also include China, Japan, Russia and South Korea. |
| International condemnation | International condemnation |
| The South Korean official told the Associated Press news agency that the North remained defiant over its new status as a nuclear power and was unconcerned that other countries did not accept it. | |
| The official, who would not be named because of the sensitivity surrounding the talks, said: "North Korea basically seems to say that it cannot dismantle its nuclear programme unless the US drops what it calls a hostile policy." | The official, who would not be named because of the sensitivity surrounding the talks, said: "North Korea basically seems to say that it cannot dismantle its nuclear programme unless the US drops what it calls a hostile policy." |
| North Korean envoy to the talks, Kim Kye-gwan, had said on Sunday his country needed nuclear weapons as a deterrent and that US "hostility" was the "biggest problem". | North Korean envoy to the talks, Kim Kye-gwan, had said on Sunday his country needed nuclear weapons as a deterrent and that US "hostility" was the "biggest problem". |
| The North's delegation is expected to meet the Americans directly on Monday, the South Korean official said. | The North's delegation is expected to meet the Americans directly on Monday, the South Korean official said. |
| UN sanctions were imposed on North Korea after it tested a missile in July and then exploded its first nuclear device in October, leading to a wave of international condemnation. | UN sanctions were imposed on North Korea after it tested a missile in July and then exploded its first nuclear device in October, leading to a wave of international condemnation. |
| The US envoy to the talks, Christopher Hill , said: "I hope [North Korea] understands... that we really are reaching a fork in the road. | The US envoy to the talks, Christopher Hill , said: "I hope [North Korea] understands... that we really are reaching a fork in the road. |
| Low hopes for talks Text of September 2005 deal North Korea nuclear timeline "We can either go forward on a diplomatic track or you have to go to a much more difficult track. | Low hopes for talks Text of September 2005 deal North Korea nuclear timeline "We can either go forward on a diplomatic track or you have to go to a much more difficult track. |
| "That is a track that involves sanctions and I think ultimately will really be very harmful to the (North's) economy." | "That is a track that involves sanctions and I think ultimately will really be very harmful to the (North's) economy." |
| Mr Hill told the BBC that the US still had no intention of accepting North Korea as a nuclear power. | Mr Hill told the BBC that the US still had no intention of accepting North Korea as a nuclear power. |
| Diplomats have previously indicated that the US may be willing to offer North Korea a security guarantee if it halts nuclear plans. | Diplomats have previously indicated that the US may be willing to offer North Korea a security guarantee if it halts nuclear plans. |
| Mr Hill has also indicated Washington is prepared to discuss easing financial sanctions, as requested by Pyongyang. | Mr Hill has also indicated Washington is prepared to discuss easing financial sanctions, as requested by Pyongyang. |
| But both remain divided over the key question of the North's nuclear programme. | But both remain divided over the key question of the North's nuclear programme. |
| North Korea walked out of the last round of talks in November last year in protest at US restrictions imposed on a Macau-based bank linked to alleged money-laundering by Pyongyang. | North Korea walked out of the last round of talks in November last year in protest at US restrictions imposed on a Macau-based bank linked to alleged money-laundering by Pyongyang. |
| Two months earlier, in September 2005, Pyongyang had agreed to abandon its nuclear programme in return for US security guarantees and aid in a deal that was hailed as historic. | Two months earlier, in September 2005, Pyongyang had agreed to abandon its nuclear programme in return for US security guarantees and aid in a deal that was hailed as historic. |
| Abductions | Abductions |
| Separately on Monday Japanese officials rejected claims by North Korea that Japan had kidnapped one of its citizens. | Separately on Monday Japanese officials rejected claims by North Korea that Japan had kidnapped one of its citizens. |
| Pyongyang's official news agency said at the weekend that a North Korea linguist went missing in 1991 and was presumed to have been abducted by the Japanese. | Pyongyang's official news agency said at the weekend that a North Korea linguist went missing in 1991 and was presumed to have been abducted by the Japanese. |
| The BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo says many in Japan will see the allegation as an attempt to counter pressure from the Japanese on the abduction of its citizens by the North. | The BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo says many in Japan will see the allegation as an attempt to counter pressure from the Japanese on the abduction of its citizens by the North. |
| Japan believes at least 17 of its nationals were taken in the 1970s and 1980s, and probably many more. | Japan believes at least 17 of its nationals were taken in the 1970s and 1980s, and probably many more. |
| Pyongyang has returned five and insists the others are dead. | Pyongyang has returned five and insists the others are dead. |