Seoul: South Korean President Lee Myung
Bak told Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping today that he wants
China to play a `bigger role` next year to achieve North
Korea`s denuclearization, Lee`s spokesman said.
"I think next year will likely be an important juncture
to resolve the North`s nuclear issue and I want China to play
a bigger role (toward that end),"Park Sun Kyoo quoted Lee as
telling the Chinese vice president.
Lee also expressed appreciation for China`s role as the
host of the six-party talks aimed at denuclearizing North
Korea, Park told a press briefing.
In response, Xi said China wants South Korea to improve
ties with North Korea and seek reconciliation and cooperation
to play a crucial role for resumption of the six-party talks.
Xi arrived in South Korea on Wednesday on a four-day
visit as part of a regional tour.
He has already traveled to Japan and plans to visit
Myanmar and Cambodia before returning home.
North Korea withdrew from the six-party talks in April to
protest a UN Security Council condemnation of a rocket launch
conducted the same month.
It added to the tension by detonating a nuclear device
for the second time in May. The move resulted in increased UN
sanctions on the reclusive country.
Xi is to meet Prime Minister Chung Un Chan later today.
PTI
