A top South Korean presidential aide is in Washington to consult with U.S. officials after the allies both held exploratory talks with nuclear-armed North Korea. The State Department said senior presidential secretary for foreign affairs and national security Chun Yung-woo will meet Monday with U.S. national security advisor Tom Donilon. Chun will also meet with deputy secretary of state Nicholas Burns and special envoy on North Korea Stephen Bosworth during his three-day visit, AP reported. It follows surprise discussions between nuclear negotiators from North and South Korea last month, followed by a meeting of U.S. and North Korean officials in New York. The meetings fueled expectations that international disarmament talks the North withdrew from in 2009 might resume. -- SPA
