U.S. to continue sanctioning N. Korea until it returns to 6-way talks: White House

By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- The United States Thursday warned that it will
continue sanctioning North Korea until Pyongyang returns to the six-party talks
on its denuclearization.

In a daily news briefing, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said, "Regardless of
this mission or not -- we certainly hope that they'll come back to implementing
the agreements that they entered into, while at the same time we will continue to
take the steps necessary to enforce Security Council resolutions to ensure that
weapons of mass destruction are not spread by the North Koreans."
Gibbs was referring to the just-concluded visit to Pyongyang by former President
Bill Clinton to win the release of two American journalists held there since
March for illegally entering North Korea to cover refugees fleeing to China.
"There was no quid pro quo." he said. "I think our policy to ensure that U.N.
Security Council regulations are implemented is no different today than it was
Monday before President Clinton left. This was a private humanitarian mission,
with only the goal of bringing back two journalists to safety."
Pyongyang's recent provocations are seen as an attempt to facilitate an
unprecedented third generation power transition to Kim Jong-Il's third and
youngest son, Jong-un, 26, who could face a challenge from the military elite if
his father does not survive long enough.
The North's nuclear and missile tests in recent months invited international
sanctions, which led the regime to boycott the six-party talks, citing "U.S.
hostility," and to demand bilateral talks with Washington.
The U.S. insists any bilateral talks be held within the six-party framework.
Obama emphasized the point Wednesday.
"We have said to the North Koreans, there is a path for improved relations, and
it involves them no longer developing nuclear weapons and not engaging in the
provocative behavior that they've been engaging in," Obama told NBC News.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently promised that "full normalization of
relations, a permanent peace regime, and significant energy and economic
assistance are all possible in the context of full and verifiable
denuclearization."
On ex-president Clinton's trip, Obama said, "We were very clear that this was a
humanitarian mission. President Clinton was going on behalf of the families to
get these young journalists out."
Gibbs said that Obama spoke to Clinton upon his return Wednesday, adding Obama
"expressed his desire to get together fairly soon so the two men would have a
chance to talk."
"Right now we're just trying to coordinate the schedules of two rather busy men,"
the spokesman said. "Obviously, it's our desire to get whatever impressions
President Clinton has."
Gibbs said Clinton talked on the phone to a National Security Council staff
member Wednesday night about his North Korean trip.
"There were some communications between the former president and the NSC
yesterday, and that will continue over the next several days," Gibbs said. "There
has been and will continue to be a formal debriefing process now on the back end
of that trip."
Gibbs did not elaborate on the substance of the briefing, but Obama Wednesday
expressed his hope to get more information from Clinton on Kim Jong-il's health.
"I suspect that President Clinton will have some interesting observations from
his trip, and I will let him provide those to me," Obama said in an interview
with NBC.
Kim had a meeting and an ensuing dinner with Clinton for more than three hours
Tuesday, a rare, lengthy public appearance by the 67-year-old reclusive leader,
quelling concerns over his health amid rumors he suffered a stroke and pancreatic
cancer last summer.
hdh@yna.co.kr
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