Incoming UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon yesterday called for patience in international efforts to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons.
"The issue requires time and patience. As UN secretary-general, I will step up efforts to resolve it," Ban said.
He returned to South Korea from New York on Sunday, two days after the latest round of six-party nuclear talks ended in Beijing without any apparent agreement.
The talks involving the two Koreas, Japan, China, Russia and the US resumed last week after a 13-month hiatus during which Pyongyang tested a nuclear bomb.
"It is regrettable that six-party talks failed to produce concrete results but I believe a channel of multilateral dialogue must be maintained," Ban told reporters.
He said the nations involved in the forum should continue talking to the North, "with faith that the issue can be resolved" through negotiations.
"As the UN secretary-general, I will also make efforts to help the process move ahead smoothly," he said.
Asked whether he would visit North Korea after taking office on Jan. 1, Ban said: "As yet, I don't have such a plan."
He said his work next year would focus on solving regional conflicts and reforming the UN.
"I feel a great mental burden as I have to face many tough issues," he added.
"Lebanon, Darfur, the Iranian nuclear issue and the dispute between Israel and Palestine as well as the entire Middle East issue are the most urgent matters," he said. "After taking office, I will immediately make preparations to solve the issues involving Lebanon, Darfur and Iran."
Ban last week urged Tehran to resume stalled talks with three European powers after the UN Security Council passed a resolution mandating sanctions targeting Iran's nuclear and missile programs.
He said he would start visiting conflict areas early next year but did not name them.
"I have plans to make two trips soon, while the secretariat is working to arrange additional trips," he said.
He said his upcoming inauguration was creating "expectation and tension" in a number of UN members.
"There are expectations that South Korea's dynamism may bring a fresh wind of reform to the United Nations," Ban said. "There are high expectations among UN members on the role of South Korea, which I believe could become a role model in the international community."
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