In October 2002, a U.S. delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State James A. Kelly visited North Korea to confront the North Koreans with the U.S. assessment that they had a uranium enrichment program.[27] Both parties' reports of the meeting differ. The U.S. delegation believed the North Koreans had admitted the existence of a highly enriched uranium program.[28] The North Koreans stated Kelly made his assertions in an arrogant manner, but failed to produce any evidence such as satellite photos, and they responded denying North Korea planned to produce nuclear weapons using enriched uranium. They went on to state that as an independent sovereign state North Korea was entitled to possess nuclear weapons for defense, although they did not possess such a weapon at that point in time.[3][29][30] Relations between the two countries, which had seemed hopeful two years earlier, quickly deteriorated into open hostility.[8]
The Six Party Talks between North and South Korea. the United States, China, Japan and the Russian Federation have led to nothing. Convened after the failure of the Agreed Framework these negotiations were meant to find a solution which would close down North Korea's nuclear weapons programs. As with all previous negotiations involving the North Koreans the only accomplishment has been more frustration.
3rd phase (8 Feb – 13 Feb 2007)
Joint Statement issued on Tuesday 13 February 2007, 3pm
North Korea will shut down and seal the Yongbyon nuclear facility, including the reprocessing facility and invite back IAEA personnel to conduct all necessary monitoring and verifications
In return, the other five parties in the six-party talks will provide emergency energy assistance to North Korea in the initial phase of 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil, to commence within 60 days.
All six parties agree to take positive steps to increase mutual trust, and make joint efforts for lasting peace and stability in Northeast Asia. Directly related parties will negotiate a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula at an appropriate separate forum.
All six parties agree on establishing five working groups - on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, normalization of North Korea-U.S. relations, normalization of North Korea-Japan relations, economy and energy cooperation, as well as a joint Northeast Asia peace and security mechanism.
The working groups will form specific plans for implementing the September 19 statement in their respective areas.
All parties agree that all working groups will meet within the next 30 days
Even though the Yongbyon nuclear facility was decommissioned the North Koreans continued its weapons program at secret underground facilities which culminated in two more weapons tests.
Today
China says dialogue only way to solve Korea crisis
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Sunday that dialogue is the only way to resolve the crisis on the Korean Peninsula, but Japan stressed that North Korea must first show sincerity in addressing concerns over its uranium enrichment activities before talks can resume.
Wen, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak also agreed at an annual summit to cooperate on disaster relief and nuclear safety.
"We are happy to see that at present, the developments on the Korean peninsula are easing slightly. We've also noticed that there are a lot of uncertain factors. The foundation is still fragile," Wen told a joint news conference.
How does negotiating with one party that will never abide to any agreement reached achieve tangible results?
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