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Experts: Pyongyang Pushing for Further Concessions from US If It Wants to
Talk

Connie Kim

   WASHINGTON - Pyongyang is pushing for major concessions from Washington
   before it agrees to resume working-level talks or hold another summit
   with the U.S., experts say.

   "What the North Koreans are indicating that they want right now (are)
   '¦ two things essentially" as "preconditions before they schedule any
   talks," said Harry Kazianis, director of Korean Studies at the Center
   for the National Interest. "I think that is some kind of promise on
   sanctions relief, and I also think they want some sort of written or
   verbally given security guarantees."

   North Korea said Tuesday that the U.S. decision to postpone joint
   military drills with South Korea is not enough for it to return to the
   negotiating table.

   "We demand that the U.S. quit the drills or stop it once and for all,"
   said Kim Yong Chol, chairman of North Korea's Asia-Pacific Peace
   Committee, in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News
   Agency (KCNA). "The U.S. should not dream of negotiating for
   denuclearization before dropping its hostile policy."

   U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced Sunday that the U.S. and
   South Korea agreed to postpone a joint air force drill scheduled for
   later this month. He described the move as "an act of good will" aimed
   at providing an atmosphere for North Korea to return to the negotiating
   table.

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