Roh backs US-N Korea talks

Roh backs US-N Korea talks

Mr Roh was defending Seoul's exclusion from talks

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has said Seoul's exclusion from next week's talks on North Korea's nuclear programme was less important than the outcome.

The United States and North Korea are next week due to discuss the nuclear standoff for the first time since the crisis escalated last October, with China also expected to participate.

"What is important is not the format but the results of the talks," Mr Roh.

He was speaking after being criticised for the fact South Korea is not taking part too.

US officials have pointed out that the talks, due to take place in the Chinese capital Beijing, are preliminary, and its regional allies South Korea and Japan could be included in later negotiations.

If we insist on taking part in the talks belatedly, it would only make the matter more complicated

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun

Analysis: N Korea's move

Officials from the three countries were expected to meet in Washington on Friday, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying.

Mr Fukuda said the purpose of the working-level talks was "to plot a course of direction for resolving" the crisis.

North Korea had previously insisted on one-to-one talks with the US, but last week hinted it was ready to drop that condition.

Despite being excluded from the talks, South Korea and Japan both welcomed news of the development.

'Pride hurt'

After taking office in February, President Roh pledged that Seoul would play a key role in resolving the nuclear crisis, deeming it the top priority for his new administration.

NUCLEAR STAND-OFF

Oct 2002 - US says N Korea "admits" secret nuclear programme

Nov 2002 - US-led decision to halt oil shipments to N Korea

Dec 2002 - N Korea expels two nuclear watchdog's inspectors

Jan 2003 - N Korea says it is withdrawing from Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty

Feb 2003 - N Korea "restarts" Yongbyon nuclear plant

Apr 2003 - N Korea ends insistence on direct talks with US

Crisis timeline

But on Thursday, Mr Roh appeared to be conciliatory over Seoul's exclusion from the talks.

"Many people are unhappy with the fact that South Korea is not part of the talks and think our pride has been hurt," he said.

"But if we insist on taking part in the talks belatedly, it would only make the matter more complicated."

However, the US - which sees South Korea as a key player in the upcoming talks - still insists Seoul should be included in any future dialogue with North Korea.

"We will continue to press for Japanese and South Korean early inclusion in the talks - that will be one of our priorities," said US State Department spokesman Philip Reeker on Wednesday.

Chinese diplomacy

Media reports, quoting unnamed US officials, said the talks were likely to last three days, beginning on 23 April.

Officials said that the US representative at the talks would be Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly.

It was Mr Kelly who accused North Korea of pursuing a nuclear programme in October last year, triggering the crisis.

An agreement on the three-way meeting was brokered by China. Washington had suggested that a larger group of nations should be involved in the talks.

The participation of the Chinese was described as a breakthrough by US officials.