N. Korea, U.S. must engage in 'direct action' to end hostilities: Chosun Sinbo

SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- North Korea and the United States must engage in direct
bilateral action to end hostilities, a pro-Pyongyang newspaper published in Japan
said Saturday.

The article, carried by the Choson Sinbo and picked up in Seoul, said in order to
guarantee peace on the Korean Peninsula the two main belligerent countries (of
the Korean War) and those that have direct interest in Pyongyang's nuclear
program should meet to resolve differences.
It also said the focus of Stephen Bosworth's planned visit next week must be
centered on "peace" since this is a subject that cannot be ignored.
The report, in addition, hinted that Pyongyang is ready to engage in meaningful
dialogue with the visiting U.S. official on what policy initiatives can be taken.
Bosworth, Washington's special representative for North Korea policy, is
scheduled to visit the communist country next week. He is expected to push
Pyongyang to return to the stalled six-party talks.
The talks -- comprised of the two Koreas, the United States, Japan, Russia and
China -- have made little headway in their aim to end North Korea's nuclear
ambitions. The country has detonated two nuclear devices since 2006 despite
condemnation from the international community.
The paper, representing the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan,
added that trying to get other countries to join in talks to resolve outstanding
issues is counter-productive.
"If multilateral discussions are held there is a risk of no headway being made,
so for the sake of establish peace on the Korean Peninsula such a goal can best
be served through one-on-one talks," it said.
yonngong@yna.co.kr