US-N.Korea to start talking on nuclear issue

The United States and North Korea begin talks in Geneva on Monday on the North's nuclear program. Observers say it is unlikely any significant progress will be made.

The two-day talks are bringing together delegations headed by US special envoy Stephen Bosworth, and North Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan.

The US side is expected to again press North Korea to take concrete steps toward denuclearization. It will be the first direct talks between the two countries in three months.

Bosworth is expected to specifically demand that North Korea immediately halt its uranium enrichment program and accept inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency at its nuclear facilities.

North Korea is likely to repeat its call for unconditional resumption of the six-party talks on its nuclear program, which have been suspended for almost three years.

The North insists that its uranium enrichment program is for power generation, and not weapons production.

Monday, October 24, 2011 11:05 +0900 (JST)