US, DPRK may hold financial talks in two weeks

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-08-2007 09:26

The United States and the DPRK have agreed in principle to hold talks on the dispute over US financial sanctions. South Korea's foreign minister says the talks could take place in about two weeks' time.

Song Min-soon made the remark after arriving from Washington, where he held talks with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Friday.

Song said a date has not been set but confirmed that the DPRK and the United States had initially agreed to hold talks in the week starting January 22. Song did not provide specifics, including where the talks will be held.

The financial dispute was the main stumbling block that deadlocked last month's six-nation talks on DPRK's nuclear program.

DPRK insisted that Washington lift the financial sanctions first before disarmament discussions begin in earnest.

Financial experts from Washington and Pyongyang held separate talks on the sidelines of the nuclear talks, involving China, Japan, the two Koreas, Russia and the US, but no progress was reported.

The two sides agreed to continue the talks, but did not set a date.

Editor:Du Xiaodan