Korea political talks to continue

South Korea will get another chance to press North Korea to return to the nuclear bargaining table after the two sides today agreed to extend their first talks in 10 months for an extra day.

Pressure grew on the reclusive communist North to attend a fourth round of six-country talks over its worrisome nuclear weapons programme as South Korea appeared to baulk at Pyongyang’s request for food aid and fertiliser.

A top US official suggested the North should rejoin the negotiations if it is concerned about its economic well-being and security.

But the North, long accustomed to brinksmanship, was resisting any commitment.

Concern over North Korea’s nuclear programme intensified last week when Pyongyang said it had taken a step that could lead to harvesting weapons-grade plutonium.

US officials warned of unspecified action if the North conducts a nuclear test, with Japan saying it would respond by seeking UN sanctions.

North Korea has indicated it would view sanctions as a declaration of war.

Talks between the two Koreas were to have ended on Tuesday. But the delegations remained at the North Korean border village of Kaesong overnight, then met briefly today before announcing they would talk again on Thursday.

The reclusive, impoverished North had sought food and 500,000 tons of fertiliser, but South Korea linked that to Pyongyang rejoining the nuclear talks.