South Korea's national security adviser left for Washington yesterday for talks on North Korea, and a top US official warned Pyongyang not to do anything provocative as fears persisted that it may test a long-range missile.
Song Min-soon, chief security aide to President Roh Moo-hyun, was scheduled to stay in Washington through tomorrow to meet US counterpart Stephen Hadley, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and others, an official at his office said.
Song's US talks will center on North Korea's missile and nuclear programs, as well as the Seoul-Washington alliance, the official said. Another topic could be Seoul's stated desire for a summit with US President George W. Bush.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, citing policy, refused to give further details.
Intelligence reports have said the North has a long-range ballistic missile on a launch pad on its northeast coast and has taken steps to prepare to test fire it.
The US and other countries have urged North Korea not to test the weapon.
In Washington on Monday, US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns warned Pyongyang to avoid "any type of provocative activity," calling a launch "a profoundly unwise step."
Burns, in a C-Span TV interview set to air on Sunday, also urged North Korea to end its boycott of six-nation talks on its nuclear programs.
The stalled six-country talks on North Korean nuclear disarmament were likely to be a main agenda item for Song's discussions in Washington. The North has been refusing since last November to attend the talks, angered by a US crackdown on its alleged currency counterfeiting and other illicit activities.
Pyongyang has demanded direct talks with Washington on the missile issue. The US has refused, saying it will speak to the North only at the six-nation meetings.
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