Korean families reunite amid hopes for six-party talks
Updated
China's Premier Wen Jiabao has been warmly welcomed in North Korea, embracing reclusive leader, Kim Jong-il, who made a rare public appearance at the airport.
China has framed the three-day visit as a "goodwill" trip to a long-time communist ally, but it comes amid indications of a possible resumption of the six-party talks. The diplomatic activity that seeks to end North Korea's nuclear weapons program comes as Korean families divided by war have been meeting in a North Korean resort.
Presenter: Brett Cole
Speakers: James Steinberg, United States Deputy Secretary of State; Hyun In-taek, South Korean Unification Minister
BRETT COLE: The sounds of elderly Koreans singing and dancing, sometimes in joy and sometimes in tears. More than 20,000 South and North Koreans have been temporarily reunited before they had to part heartbreakingly once more. More than 127,000 South Koreans have applied to see their relatives in North Korea. Most are elderly, more than 70 years of age. James Steinberg, the deputy U.S. Secretary of State.
JAMES STEINBERG: I think the pictures and the stories are very moving. And I think all of us feel very strongly about the importance of recognizing the human dimension here. We really hope that the North Korean will understand that in the context of helping to resolve the nuclear question it provides an opportunity for more normal relationships and to resolve these separations and all of the human losses that are there. I think all of us feel very strongly a human bond with the people of North Korea. We would like to find ways to get it back to a more normal relationship where we can address their hopes and dreams for their families as well.''
BRETT COLE: North Korea is isolated by United Nations sanctions imposed this year after the regime's second nuclear test in May. South Korea's Unification Minister, in charge of his country's relations with North Korea, Hyun In-taek
HYUN IN-TAEK: If North Korea makes a determination to completely and irreversibly discard its nuclear ambitions, South Korea will partner with the international community to help develop North Korea's staggering economy and offer a regime guarantee.
BRETT COLE: North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il says his regime is willing to engage in talks in order to "continue the goal of denuclarising the Korean peninsula." I asked U.S. deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg what he makes of Mr Kim's overture.
JAMES STEINBERG: We've discussed with our partners here and in Japan, Moscow and Beijing our common willingness to engage with North Korea. We've indicated that we're prepared to have direct engagement, bilateral engagement with North Korea if it's in aide of bringing North Korea back into the six party talks and recommitting to denuclearisation. I think it's important for North Korea to make clear that it's prepared to engage on those terms and that if we find that's its productive to pursue that direction I think we're prepared to do it. But right now we're focusing on making sure there's a common view about how to proceed and we hope that the North Koreans take advantage of that.
