Ambassador Han Song-ryol Comments Regarding Six Party Talks (Taken Question)

Question: Are you aware of remarks by North Korea’s UN Ambassador Han Song-ryol on the Six Party Talks? Did he rule out another round of Six Party Talks this month? Have the North Koreans officially conveyed such a position?

Answer: We are aware of press reports of Ambassador Han’s remarks but do not have a transcript of what he may have said.

The North Koreans agreed in principle, along with the other five parties, to hold the next round of Six Party Talks by the end of September. Diplomatic efforts to achieve this are still ongoing. We are not aware that the North Koreans have officially conveyed any refusal to attend another round of talks this month.