US denies DPRK diplomatic ties report
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
SEOUL, Nov 26 (Reuters): A United States (US) embassy spokesman Monday denied a report by South Korea's biggest daily that the State Department has stationed an employee in Pyongyang to lay the groundwork for opening a permanent liaison office in North Korea.
The State Department has an employee in Pyongyang but only to manage equipment for a team that is overseeing the disablement of
North Korea's nuclear facilities. The employee will be in the North through the disablement process.
"This is not for normalisation," spokesman Max Kwak said.
There has been a rise in exchanges between the two countries after reclusive North Korea agreed this year to a multinational deal to freeze and then roll back its nuclear arms programme in return for massive aid and better international standing.
The Chosun Ilbo newspaper quoted an unnamed source in Washington as saying: "A US State Department diplomat who handles administrative affairs has checked into a room in Koryo
The State Department has an employee in Pyongyang but only to manage equipment for a team that is overseeing the disablement of
North Korea's nuclear facilities. The employee will be in the North through the disablement process.
"This is not for normalisation," spokesman Max Kwak said.
There has been a rise in exchanges between the two countries after reclusive North Korea agreed this year to a multinational deal to freeze and then roll back its nuclear arms programme in return for massive aid and better international standing.
The Chosun Ilbo newspaper quoted an unnamed source in Washington as saying: "A US State Department diplomat who handles administrative affairs has checked into a room in Koryo