Wirth opens registration for world-class traditional arts programs in Riyadh    MWL chief welcomes Uzbek official, hails Center's efforts in promoting Islamic values    Etidal and Telegram remove over 30 million extremist posts in Q2 2025    HR Ministry launches 'Skills Week' to empower youth and align talent with labor market needs    Saudi Arabia operates 10 renewable energy projects with SR19.8 billion in investment by end of 2024    Saudia posts 7.2% passenger growth in H1 2025, leads global punctuality    Al-Khateeb hails Taif's tourism appeal as Saudi Summer 2025 gets underway    Housing-starved Hong Kong turns Covid quarantine site into hostel    Trump to meet NATO secretary general as plan takes shape for Ukraine weapons sales    Trump defends US Attorney General Pam Bondi over Epstein files    At least 30 killed in sectarian clashes in Syria    SA police minister suspended over organized crime allegations    Jeddah exhibition showcases 500 years of Makkah and Madinah imagery    Jannik Sinner beats Carlos Alcaraz to win his maiden Wimbledon title    Chelsea defeat PSG 3-0 to win first expanded Club World Cup    France's Lady Liberty artwork goes viral as a new Statue of Liberty could be in the works    Theo Hernández: Al Hilal can compete with Europe's best    Abdullah Al-Qaisoom wins silver at Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championship    SFDA approves 'Winrevair' for rare pulmonary hypertension treatment    Michael Madsen, actor of 'Kill Bill' and 'Reservoir Dogs' fame, dead at 67    Sholay: Bollywood epic roars back to big screen after 50 years with new ending    Ministry launches online booking for slaughterhouses on eve of Eid Al-Adha    Shah Rukh Khan makes Met Gala debut in Sabyasachi    Pakistani star's Bollywood return excites fans and riles far right    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Seoul rejects N. Korea's talks offer as propaganda
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 07 - 01 - 2011

SEOUL: South Korea has dismissed a North Korean call for unconditional talks to ease tensions, saying Thursday the offer was “propaganda” it does not take seriously.
The North's move on Wednesday came as the United States met Chinese and South Korean officials for talks on how to calm the Korean peninsula and persuade the North to stop its nuclear work.
Seoul, which wants an apology after North Korea's deadly shelling of a South Korean island off disputed waters in November, said Pyongyang's call for talks was an empty gesture. “North Korea previously issued statements like this early in the year . They are normally done as part of (a) propaganda campaign toward the South,” a Unification Ministry official said.
“We do not consider this is as a serious proposal for dialogue. It is not even in the correct and appropriate format.”
The artillery fire, and the March 2010 sinking of a South Korean ship blamed on the North despite its denials, have raised tension in Asia and increased the pressure to resume talks.
Washington, which is urging Beijing to rein in its ally North Korea, has sent its envoy Stephen Bosworth to Asia for talks. He is in China on Thursday and will be in Japan on Friday. Analysts say Pyongyang's military aggression and unveiling of a previously-undisclosed nuclear enrichment facility are ways of raising the stakes ahead of potential six-party talks, a forum in which it has previously won substantial aid.
“Both sides had a deep exchange of views on the situation on the Korean peninsula and on the six-party talks,” China's Foreign Ministry said after Bosworth met with officials.
“Both sides agreed to continue working hard to maintain peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and to push forward the six-party talk process.” Although both Koreas have called for dialogue to solve the crisis, the South, like Washington, is loath to be seen rewarding the North's actions with the talks and concessions it desires.


Clic here to read the story from its source.