Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
AP source: Obama writes letter to NKorean leader
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
AP source: Obama writes letter to NKorean leader
By KWANGTAE KIM,Associated Press Writer -
Thursday, December 17
Send
IM Story
Print
SEOUL, South Korea – Washington's recent bid to persuade North Korea to return to nuclear disarmament negotiations included a personal letter to leader Kim Jong Il written by President Barack Obama, a senior U.S. official said.
Envoy Stephen Bosworth took the letter to Pyongyang last week, handing it over to North Korean officials during the Obama administration's first bilateral talks since the U.S. president took office, the official said in Washington.
The official, who spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the diplomacy, would not describe the contents of the letter but said they fit with Bosworth's general message.
"The North Koreans have a choice: continued and further isolation or benefits for returning to the six-party talks and dismantling their nuclear weapons program," the official said. The official was not aware whether Kim had responded.
Bosworth did not meet Kim during his three-day trip. But after leaving Pyongyang, he said he conveyed Obama's message that the United States is ready to work with its allies to offer North Korea "a different future" if Pyongyang chooses to rejoin the disarmament talks and take irreversible steps toward dismantling its atomic program.
Both Washington and Pyongyang agreed on the need to resume the stalled talks but the North did not make a firm commitment on when it would rejoin the negotiations.
Amid a flurry of disarmament diplomacy, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping was scheduled to visit South Korea later Wednesday for talks with President Lee Myung-bak and other South Korean officials. Xi and Lee are expected to discuss North Korea on Thursday.
Separately, South Korea's chief nuclear envoy, Wi Sung-lac, plans to leave for Moscow later Wednesday for consultations with Russian officials on North Korea's nuclear program, Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan told reporters on Wednesday.
The flurry of trips comes amid a report that Kim is suffering from chronic laryngitis _ probably because of excessive smoking and drinking _ and he can't work without resting every other day.
The illness worsened last month, though the 67-year-old leader has recovered much from last year's reported stroke and a kidney disease, said the Seoul-based Open Radio for North Korea, a radio station specializing in North Korean news.
The station cited an unidentified "high-level source" in the North. South Korean officials could not confirm the report.
Kim's health has security implications beyond the Korean peninsula because of fears of a possible power struggle if he were to die without naming a successor, a scenario that could affect the North's nuclear programs and the disarmament process.
The disarmament process had yielded pacts promising North Korea much-needed aid and other concessions in return for step-by-step disarmament. However, Pyongyang walked away from the talks this year in anger over U.N. Security Council condemnation of a rocket launch widely seen as a test of its long-range missile technology.
The U.N. Security Council tightened sanctions in June after North Korea conducted an underground nuclear test, its second, in defiance of an earlier ban. The sanctions, aimed at derailing North Korea's nuclear weapons program, ban the country from developing its nuclear program and selling conventional arms.
Meanwhile, the North told Bosworth that U.N. sanctions imposed on the communist regime for its nuclear defiance must be lifted, Yonhap reported Wednesday.
Yu, the foreign minister, reaffirmed that the sanctions would remain in place while making diplomatic efforts to revive the stalled talks, noting the U.S. and its regional powers would not reward Pyongyang just for returning to the negotiating table.
The North's reported demand comes as Thai authorities are inspecting 35 tons of weapons seized from a cargo plane loaded in North Korea _ the latest known case of Pyongyang's illicit weapons trade in violation of U.N. sanctions.
Thai officials impounded the Ilyushin IL-76 transport plane Saturday after authorities discovered explosives, rocket-propelled grenades and components for surface-to-air missiles.
North Korea is believed to earn hundreds of millions of dollars every year by selling missiles, missile parts and other weapons to countries such as Iran, Syria and Myanmar.
___
Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington, Jae-soon Chang and ShinWoo Kang in Seoul contributed to this report.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Japan coalition leader wants US base off Okinawa AP - 1 hour 49 minutes ago
China swine flu toll soars past 400: ministry AFP - 2 hours 54 minutes ago
Diplomat: Pakistan holding up some US visas AP - Thursday, December 17
Tribunal charges 2 Khmer Rouge with genocide AP - Thursday, December 17
At least 10 dead in tourist bus crash in SKorea AP - Thursday, December 17
News Search
Top Stories
US housing starts, permits surge
France to follow Britain and tax banker bonuses
Century-old butter found in Scott's Antarctic hut
Fed set to keep extra support for fragile US economy
Boeing's Dreamliner in maiden flight
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Boeing's Dreamliner in maiden flight
Coconut-carrying octopus stuns scientists
Century-old butter found in Scott's Antarctic hut
Boeing's 787 Dreamliner takes off on maiden flight
Earliest proven case of leprosy found in Israel
More Most Viewed »
Global stocks mixed amid Dubai debt crisis
Tiny magnetic discs could kill cancer cells: study
Virgin unveils spaceship to offer space tourism
Tiger Woods' girlfriend apologizes in TV interview
Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Wednesday, 16 December 2009 Hamas blames Israel for breakdown in Schalit talks
Berlusconi to curb his public duties after attack
YouTube looks at subscriptions, more ad dollars
Wall Street Journal launches Japanese website
Latin Americans, EU strike historic deal on banana trade
Contractor arrest may ruffle Obama's Cuba overture
|
Microsoft suspends Juku amid plagiarism charges
Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Red Cross sees Taliban captives in Afghanistan
Bullock, Streep, Damon Score Double Nods At The Golden Globes
US industrial production regains vigor, up 0.8%
S.Korea's LG aims to sell 400,000 3D TVs next year
Jay-Z's 40/40 Club Sued For Beating Patron
Germany's largest-ever class action suit kicks off
Sun Micro wins intellectual property cases
Grammy Nominee Buju Banton Arrested On Drug Charges
Leona Lewis' Attacker Detained Under The Mental Health Act
NATO to seek Russian kit, trainers for Afghanistan
|
Mexico's Calderon seeks broad electoral reform
|
"CSI: Miami" Star Jonathan Togo Arrested For Domestic Violence
Courtney Love Loses Custody Of Daughter Frances Bean Cobain
French minister tells Muslims to speak properly
|
S.Korea's LG aims to sell 400,000 3D TVs next year
"30 Rock" Actor Grizz Chapman Needs Kidney Transplant
Kid Rock And Dave Grohl Sue Small Town Bar Over Copyright Infringement
Taylor Swift Donates $250K To Public Schools On Her 20th Birthday
Arlington, Va., educators cancel Taliban debate
Jury: Naveed Haq guilty in Jewish center shooting
Snow storm stalls search for missing Ore. climbers
Blast kills 33 near lawmaker's home in Pakistan
Mass. 2nd-grader sent home for crucifix drawing
Suicide blast kills 33 in crowded Pakistani market
Google investing for growth in display ads
|
3 RI cops shot in drug raid released from hospital
YouTube looks at subscriptions, more ad dollars
|
China official's royal audience stirs ire in Japan
Schools, roads close as heavy rain drenches South
Comcast rolls out Web TV service nationally
|
Gotta love it! NYC holds condom contest
Blast kills 20 near minister's home in Pakistan
Gitmo detainees not free in US after prison
Japan to halt new missile defence spending: media
Spymaster sees Israel as world cyberwar leader
|
'Goodfellas' mobster blames alcohol for arrest
Philippines wins marathon double at SE.Asian Games
Lieberman indicates support for health bill
Myanmar allows Suu Kyi to meet ailing party elders
Suicide bombing blast near former VP home in Kabul
China says Uighur asylum seekers are criminals
Pakistan market bombing kills 27: official
Chinese firms slam UN wind farm rulings
'Up In the Air', 'Avatar' head Golden Globes contenders
Golden Globe nominations announced
Golden Globe animated film nominations announced
Quirky Glee hits high note at Golden Globes
|
Cameron and Weaver on 'Aliens,' and 'Avatar'
Quirky "Glee" hits high note at Golden Globes
Lindsay Lohan's father arrested in NY
Lil Wayne heads to NY jail in February
Binge drinking soars among German youth, data show
'Up In the Air', 'Avatar' head Golden Globes contenders
Spanish catering industry protests planned smoking ban
Madrid's Prado woos art lovers despite crisis
'Goodfellas' mobster blames alcohol for arrest
CORRECTED: "Nanny Returns" to New York's now troubled elite
U.S. House passes Iran gasoline sanctions bill
NATO chief in first Russia visit to rebuild trust
For tsunami's Baby 81, fame brought misfortune
|
Iranian elections top Twitter topic for 2009
Britain urgently seeks changes after Livni arrest warrant
Boeing's Dreamliner in maiden flight
BA launches legal action to stop Christmas strike
YouTube leads Google charge in display ad market
WITNESS: Failed state? Try Pakistan's M2 motorway
|
Earliest proven case of leprosy found in Israel
Iran students hold rival rallies, bazaar closes
Twitter gets more business friendly
Baby among five killed in Iraq attacks
Boeing's 787 Dreamliner takes off on maiden flight
Cocaine and rebels haunt Peru's remote jungle
|
Miami Herald asking online readers for contributions
Israel responsible for delay in freeing Shalit: Hamas chief
Border stability to top China-Myanmar talks
|
OMG! Text messaging up sharply in US since 2003: study
Iran ex-rebels defy police orders to quit Iraq camp
US-TECH Summary
Hundreds evacuated after quake rocks central Italy
|
Borders jumps into digital books fray
USGS turns to Twitter for earthquake reports
Italy to beef up security after Berlusconi assault
|
Spymaster sees Israel as world cyberwar leader
Mobile sales to fall 0.7 percent this year: Gartner
Car hits horse-drawn Va. holiday hayride; 12 hurt
Pittsburgh City Council set to vote on tuition tax
FBI squad to assist NYC terror trial prosecutors
Vietnam asks China to return seized fishing boats
Report: NKorea presses for lifting of UN sanctions
Borders jumps into digital books fray
|
US House approves Iran energy sector sanctions bill
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Attorney: Missing Utah mom's husband met with cops
Police kill separatist rebel leader in Papua
80-year-old sailor rescued in Gulf of Mexico
Smog sinks Hong Kong's famous skyline
Border stability to top China-Myanmar talks
Envoy delivered Obama letter to NKorea leader: report
Man pleads not guilty to 1981 Calif. triple murder
One woman's fight against pollution in China
Google phone with T-Mobile contract in Jan: source
|
New Zealand teen flashes driver, gets hit by car
Asia leaves its mark on 2009 in sports
Pakistani rupee trades at record low of 84.55
Even top Hollywood directors feel like outsiders
WRAPUP 1-S.Korea signals exit strategy, mortgage squeeze
US presses for Asia-Pacific trade deal
FACTBOX-South Korea to tighten banking rules
China: foreign direct investment up 32 pct in Nov
Taiwan dlr eases on stocks ahead of US Fed meeting
Seoul shares turn lower; techs, shipbuilders weigh
S.Korea bonds fall on U.S. lead, strong shares
Golden Globe nominations boost underdogs
|
S.Korea won down; fin ministry to report 2010 focus
Even top Hollywood directors feel like outsiders
|
"Avatar" starts long march toward profitability
Seoul shares open flat;tech exporters lend support
ABBA, Stooges to join Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
|
Feast or famine for Golden Globe nominees
Avatar starts long march toward profitability
|
Even top Hollywood directors feel like outsiders
Metallica, Slayer to tour together
|
Washington city votes to legalize gay marriage
Feast or famine for Golden Globe nominees
|
Smog sinks Hong Kong's famous skyline
Mundane Morgans wastes talented cast
|
Europeans dominate Golden Globe foreign film group
|
Michael Jackson estate administrators seek payment
Fitness guru Jack LaLanne undergoes surgery in LA
Scorsese, Polanski thrillers join Berlin lineup
|
True Blood finds its sexy werewolf
|
CORRECTED: Europeans dominate Golden Globe foreign film group
'Dance' finale expects a well-behaved Lambert
Scorsese, Polanski thrillers join Berlin lineup
Abbas says peace deal possible in 6 months
Architect of Russia's shock therapy reform dead
US university coding future of news
Century-old butter found in Scott's Antarctic hut
Iran tests long-range missile, raises ire of West
Iran tests missile, warns opposition leaders
|
Bing app for iPhones hits App Store
PLO keeps Abbas as Palestinian president
Fed set to keep extra support for fragile US economy
Pakistani Supreme Court reconsiders amnesty ruling
|
Afghan surge troops won't target drug crops
|
Kuwait's prime minister survives key vote
Nigerian government sued over president's absence
|
Iran test-fires missile, drawing Western censure
Cyprus seeks Interpol help to find stolen corpse
|
Iran says U.S. fuel sanctions move will fail
Muslim revival brings polygamy, camels to Chechnya
|
Man arrested outside Berlusconi hospital room
|
I shot Guinea leader soldier tells French radio
|
Germany must pay Afghan victims of NATO raid: Lawyer
|
Obama to host new safety chairwoman, NASA chief
Protest erupts in Indian parliament over inflation
Filipino dictator's son open to presidency
Federal Trade Commission sues chip giant Intel
|
Microsoft browser pledge ends EU dispute
|
Study: Sexually active girls at risk of infection
AP source: Obama writes letter to NKorean leader
China's anti-porn drive to run until May
|
Lava flow from Philippine volcano continues: govt
SC legislators consider formal rebuke of governor
Japan PM under fire over delay in US base row
Indonesia police say Papuan rebel commander killed
'You lie!' on Yale list of year's memorable quotes
US calls Japan base delay decision unfortunate
Custody dispute may have led to shooting deaths
Indonesia to separate child inmates from teens
House rushes to finish its work for year
N.Korea's Kim raps foreign hairstyles: report
Myanmar opposition leader meets party elders
Mo. farmers with best land face 2011 tax rise
SPIN METER: No real consensus on bank overhaul
Documents in probe of wayward plane to be released
Banks to get more time on new global rules: report
Thai auto sales growth highest in years: industry
China's Chery dismisses foreign car purchase plans
China defends home grown tech purchase rule
India's Bharti to buy Bangladesh mobile operator
S.Korea bond futures dive on rate hike, Fed fears
Japan enters high-speed train sales race
Swiss won't decide on Polanski extradition until 2010
|
'Glee' cast joyful over Globe nods
Layered cake breathes life back into tiny US island
Metallica, Slayer to tour together
Seychelles getting 'sinking feeling'
Once an underdog, Reitman now an Oscar favorite
Golden Globe nominations boost underdogs
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights