Seoul, Oct 29: A top security aide to President Roh Moo-Hyun today said there are signs progress can be made in finding a resolution to the stand-off over North Korea's nuclear ambitions. The renewed optimism came as China sent its number two leader Wu Bangguo to North Korea amid rising hopes that Pyongyang can be persuaded back to six-nation talks aimed at ending the year-long nuclear crisis.
"Even though it is not a stage of saying we are either optimistic or pessimistic, we can cautiously say that we are at the stage of finding a clue (to ending the crisis)," said Ra Jong-Yil, National Security Advisor for Roh.
"We hope the six-way talks will become a framework not only for settling North Korea's nuclear problem but also for guaranteeing security on the Korean peninsula on a long-term basis," Ra said during a seminar at a Seoul hotel.
North Korea is giving a red-carpet welcome to Wu, chairman of the Chinese legislature, who led a large delegation to Pyongyang Wednesday, according to state media.
Bureau Report