S. Korea-U.S. six-party talks members to discuss N. Korea's 5th nuclear test in Seoul

한미 6자 수석대표 북핵 대응 협의할 것
Washington's top nuclear envoy Sung Kim arrived in Seoul on Monday,... to discuss with his South Korean counterpart Kim Hong-kyun measures against North Korea's fifth nuclear test,... after his trip to Japan over the weekend,... with the same purpose.
Out of Tokyo meanwhile came more condemnation towards North Korea,... raising the chances that Pyongyang may soon face stronger sanctions from the international community.
Our Foreign Affairs correspondent has the latest developments.
North Korea's latest nuclear test has demonstrated once again the regime's "blatant and reckless disregard" for its obligations and commitments.
That's what Washington's top nuclear envoy said upon arrival in South Korea Monday,... as he is set to hold talks with his South Korean counterpart Kim Hong-kyun and other officials during a two-day stay.
They are first and foremost expected to discuss their response to North Korea's fifth nuclear test.


"We will be working closely with the Republic of Korea and other partners in the six-party talks and the members of the Security Council to come up with an appropriately strong response to their latest provocation."

According to a South Korean official,... the possibility of additional sanctions on Pyongyang,... on the bilateral, as well as the United Nations level, will most likely be on the agenda at official talks Tuesday between Kim Hong-kyun and Sung Kim.
Over the weekend, Sung Kim met with his Japanese counterpart Kenji Kanasugi on the same issue,... and discussed ways to put pressure on the North through a three-way framework including South Korea.
On Monday Japan renewed its condemnation on Pyongyang's fifth nuclear test as well as its recent missile tests,... which landed within Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone,... as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke before senior officers of the Self-Defense Forces.

"North Korea went ahead with two nuclear tests in just nine months. This is absolutely unacceptable. Missiles landed within Japan's exclusive economic zone last month and this month consecutively. It's an unprecedented situation."

Japan is already considering additional independent sanctions on North Korea.
So is the UN Security Council,... which is expected to draft a new resolution on the regime's latest provocation.
Kwon Soa, Arirang News.

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