Asia-Pacific

China, S. Korea envoys to meet

(AP)
Updated: 2006-10-09 20:33

South Korean and Chinese envoys to North Korean disarmament talks prepared Monday to confer on North Korea's announcement that it had conducted a nuclear test.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with North Korea's Kim Jong Il at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, January 17, 2006. [Reuters]

South Korea's Chun Yung-woo was on a plane to Beijing when North Korea made its announcement. Upon his arrival in Beijing, Chun said he was caught unaware and wanted first to consult with his Chinese counterpart, Wu Dawei, before commenting.

"I'm not going to elaborate on it. We're going to discuss it with China. I'm going to talk with Wu Dawei," Chun told reporters.

The aim of Chun's Beijing visit had been to ask for Chinese help in persuading the North to call off the planned test. The South Korean envoy said he also hoped to revive diplomatic efforts to resume international arms talks that have been on hold for nearly a year.

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun was scheduled to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Seoul on Monday to discuss how to resolve the nuclear impasse and repair soured ties between South Korea and Japan.

In Beijing, Abe held summit talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao on Sunday and they pledged to work to persuade North Korea to call off the test and rejoin six-nation talks on its nuclear program.