US assures Pyongyang of 'robust' direct talks

SEOUL: The United States assured the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) of "a robust channel" for direct talks if it rejoins six-nation nuclear negotiations, as a senior US envoy was in Pyongyang yesterday to try to salvage the stalled international talks.

Envoy Stephen Bosworth is on a mission to win the DPRK's commitment to return to the negotiations on dismantling its nuclear program. The government walked away from the talks earlier this year, angered by criticism of its nuclear and missile programs. A nuclear test soon followed.

Bosworth's three-day visit to Pyongyang is the first by a US official since President Barack Obama took office. US officials said Bosworth, who arrived on Tuesday, held high-level talks yesterday and planned to return to Seoul today.