Minister expects speedy resumption of N. Korea-U.S. talks

SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top diplomat said Wednesday that negotiations between North Korea and the United States will likely move forward speedily amid their "continued contact."

The two sides have confirmed their strong will for a second summit, according to Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha.

"Accordingly, North Korea-U.S. talks are expected to resume with a sense of speed," she said at a press conference.

If the meeting is held, they are likely to have "full-fledged discussions" on denuclearization on the basis of a related strategy fine-tuned by Seoul and Washington, Kang addded.

She also mentioned the possibility of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's reciprocal visit to Seoul, adding there could be "big progress" in denuclearization, inter-Korean relations and efforts to establish a peace regime.

The minister's remarks came amid news reports that a top North Korean envoy will travel to Washington D.C. later this week.

Kim Yong-chol, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party Central Committee, is expected to hold talks with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday or Friday (local time) to work out the details of another summit between President Donald Trump and the North's leader.

lcd@yna.co.kr
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