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North Korea: Contentious Talks Continue in Pyongyang Diplomats from North and South Korea extended their weeklong talks into Friday to hash out disputes over Pyongyang’s nuclear development and economic cooperation, Reuters reported today (see GSN, May 20). The talks lasted through the night and officials have met for almost two hours today, according to a South Korean pool report from the discussions in Pyongyang. North Korea is angry at South Korea because of Seoul’s stand with Washington for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. North Korea’s official media sharply criticized South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun’s recent trip to Washington. North Korea described the trip as “pro-U.S. and flunkyist.” South Korean spokesman Cho Myoung-gyon said that an economic agreement was near, but the two delegations are involved in a “battle of the tongues” over Roh’s Washington visit. Pyongyang is also upset about comments by Roh’s national defense adviser Kim Hee-sang, who said that aid to North Korea should be differentiated between the people and the regime. North Korean officials said the comments are a “string of balderdash” and Pyongyang called for Kim’s dismissal (Paul Eckert, Reuters, May 23). Koizumi Meets With Bush Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is scheduled to hold talks with U.S. President George W. Bush today at the president’s Texas ranch. The two leaders are expected to discuss ways to stop North Korea from developing nuclear weapons (Mark Magnier, Los Angeles Times, May 23). Meanwhile, a concerted effort to cut off North Korea’s alleged trade in illegal goods is gaining momentum in Washington, the Financial Times reported. A blockade, however, will not apply crippling pressure to Pyongyang without Chinese cooperation, according to Scott Snyder, an analyst at the Asia Foundation. “China quietly increasing customs inspections of North Korean vessels would be more effective than high-profile interdictions by the U.S. and its allies,” he said (Ward/Pilling, Financial Times, May 23).
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