Campbell to visit S. Korea soon: source

SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Yonhap) -- Kurt Campbell, U.S. assistant secretary of state for
Asia and Pacific affairs, plans to visit South Korea in the coming weeks to
discuss the North Korean nuclear issue, a government source said Thursday, amid a
flurry of efforts to coax Pyongyang back to the six-way nuclear negotiations.
"South Korea and the U.S. are in consultations to fix a schedule for Assistant
Secretary Campbell's trip to South Korea," the source said, requesting anonymity.
"He is likely to visit here in early February. He is also expected to travel to
other nations in the region such as China and Japan."
During his upcoming trip to South Korea, Campbell is expected to focus on
discussions over North Korea as there are few sensitive alliance issues between
Seoul and Washington these days, added the source.
Campbell visited Japan and China during a Northeast Asia tour in October last
year but he bypassed South Korea at that time, sparking media speculation over
the reasons behind such a decision. Senior U.S. diplomats customarily visit all
three countries during regional trips due to their geographical proximity and
strategic importance as Washington's partners on the global stage.
Some South Korean newspapers said that Campbell might have been vexed by a series
of news reports taking issue with his impromptu remarks on President Lee
Myung-bak's proposal for striking a package deal with North Korea to end its
nuclear program.
In September, Lee unveiled the so-called Grand Bargain plan in New York. A few
hours later, Campbell told reporters that he was not aware of the idea and that
his government was still pushing for "incremental steps" with North Korea.
Campbell's response raised doubts over how closely the allies coordinate on the
North Korean nuclear issue.
Meanwhile, Seoul's top nuclear envoy Wi Sung-lac is considering a trip to
Washington later this month for meetings with Stephen Bosworth, U.S. special
representative for North Korea policy, and other officials handling affairs
involving the communist nation, according to the source.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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