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Everyone's Ready to Resume Talks, Except North Korea

William Gallo

   SEOUL - Lee Juhyun contributed to this report.

   The latest round of U.S.-South Korean military exercises have finished.
   The top U.S. envoy for North Korea is in Seoul. Everything seems to be
   in place for the resumption of long-delayed working-level talks with
   North Korea. Everything, that is, except for North Korea.

   "We are prepared to engage as soon as we hear from our counterparts in
   North Korea," said Stephen Biegun, the U.S. Special Representative for
   North Korea, who arrived in the South Korean capital Tuesday for a
   three-day visit.

   Biegun met senior South Korean officials in Seoul on Wednesday, a day
   after the U.S. and South Korea wrapped up joint military drills.
   Although North Korea had hinted it could return to dialogue at the end
   of the exercises, it has given no fresh signs it is ready to engage
   Seoul or Washington.

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