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![US and North Korea resume nuclear talks
Countries hold first talks since Kim Jong-il’s death in Beijing, in effort to restart wider six-nation negotiations.
Envoys from the United States and North Korea have met in Beijing for their first talks on dismantling Pyongyang’s nuclear programme since the death of Kim Jong-il, the country’s long-time leader.
The discussions, which started on Thursday, will be closely watched for signs of a more co-operative approach from North Korea, which stands to gain food and economic aid in return for taking steps to end its efforts to develop nuclear weapons.
Kim’s death on December 17 last year stalled talks that officials said were close to concluding a deal on the US providing food aid in return for the suspension of uranium enrichment activities.
“Today is, as we say, ‘game day’. We will have an opportunity to meet with First Vice Foreign Minister Kim and his team,” Glyn Davies, the US envoy, said before the start of morning talks on Thursday with Kim Kye Gwan at the North Korean Embassy in Beijing.
The two will hold a second session of meetings on Thursday afternoon at the US embassy.
The talks in Beijing are the third round of negotiations since July, and are aimed at restarting wider six-nation disarmament talks, which also involve China, Japan, Russia and South Korea.
Those talks have been suspended since 2009, when North Korea walked away from the table, and later exploded its second nuclear device.
Pictured: Envoys will be meeting at the US and North Korean embassies in Beijing for two rounds of talks on Thursday [AFP]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzu6orI8oF1r165eko1_500.jpg)
US and North Korea resume nuclear talks
Countries hold first talks since Kim Jong-il’s death in Beijing, in effort to restart wider six-nation negotiations.
Envoys from the United States and North Korea have met in Beijing for their first talks on dismantling Pyongyang’s nuclear programme since the death of Kim Jong-il, the country’s long-time leader.
The discussions, which started on Thursday, will be closely watched for signs of a more co-operative approach from North Korea, which stands to gain food and economic aid in return for taking steps to end its efforts to develop nuclear weapons.
Kim’s death on December 17 last year stalled talks that officials said were close to concluding a deal on the US providing food aid in return for the suspension of uranium enrichment activities.
“Today is, as we say, ‘game day’. We will have an opportunity to meet with First Vice Foreign Minister Kim and his team,” Glyn Davies, the US envoy, said before the start of morning talks on Thursday with Kim Kye Gwan at the North Korean Embassy in Beijing.
The two will hold a second session of meetings on Thursday afternoon at the US embassy.
The talks in Beijing are the third round of negotiations since July, and are aimed at restarting wider six-nation disarmament talks, which also involve China, Japan, Russia and South Korea.
Those talks have been suspended since 2009, when North Korea walked away from the table, and later exploded its second nuclear device.
Pictured: Envoys will be meeting at the US and North Korean embassies in Beijing for two rounds of talks on Thursday [AFP]
