S. Korea asks Iran to dispel suspicions on nuclear program

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korea called Thursday for Iran to step up
efforts to allay international concerns about its nuclear program.

Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan delivered the position to his Iranian counterpart
Manouchehr Mottaki in their talks in Seoul, officials said.
Mottaki arrived here for a one-day stay after visiting Pyongyang, where he met
with North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun and the communist nation's number
two leader, Kim Yong-nam.
The Iranian minister briefed Yu on the results of his North Korea trip, according
to South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young.
But Mottaki did not provide details on whether the two sides discussed
Pyongyang's stance on the troubled denuclearization process, Moon said.
"The Iranian foreign minister stressed that his country is pushing for a nuclear
program for peaceful purposes," Moon said. "In response, Minister Yu said it is
important for Iran to gain the confidence of the international community on its
nuclear program."
Earlier in the day, Pyongyang's official news agency provided reports on
Mottaki's trip.
"Noting that leader Kim Jong-il has deeply cared about development of the
friendly relations between the two countries, he (Kim Yong-nam) said that the
DPRK (North Korea) would make efforts to expand and develop the relations with
Iran," the Korean Central News Agency said.
Iran established diplomatic ties with South and North Korea in 1962 and 1973,
respectively.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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