BEIJING - The US on Monday expressed hopes for "meaningful" results in a possible revival of the Six-Party Talks in the near future, while voicing optimism toward engagement with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Stephen Bosworth, the US special representative for DPRK policy, offered these assessments during his three-day visit to Seoul, as part of a broader diplomatic strategy to discuss DPRK's nuclear programs with the six parties that include China, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), the US and the DPRK.

"We want to talk to our allies and partners about how we can best formulate a position that would enable us to move forward," said Bosworth while meeting with ROK acting Foreign Minister Shin Kak-soo.

But Washington "is not interested in talking just for the sake of talking," and he insisted that Pyongyang should take seriously its past commitments to nuclear disarmament prior to the restoration of talks.

The Six-Party Talks, aimed at peacefully resolving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, have been stalled for the last two years.

Prospects for restarting the process had been gloomy recently owing to Pyongyang's announcement of a permanent withdrawal from the talks in 2009 - coupled with upgraded joint exercises by US and ROK military forces.

Washington's consultations with Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing later this week, however, offered clear signals of a new dialogue-oriented approach toward Pyongyang.

Nevertheless, on the same day, the ROK released a report with the results of an international inquiry into the March sinking of the Cheonan naval ship, outlining proof that the DPRK was responsible for the incident, which will likely sour ties between Seoul and Pyongyang once more.

The new book-length document contains more details on the incident - including communication records of personnel on board, and an attempt to reaffirm earlier probe findings in May, which claimed DPRK responsibility.

The report sent a strong signal that "even the most covert attack leaves evidence", said Yoon Duk-yong, co-chairman of the joint investigation team in a briefing on Monday.

Meanwhile, the ROK maintained its stance to urge Pyongyang to demonstrate a more responsible attitude toward the Cheonan incident.

Recently, more positive developments have emerged on both sides of the peninsula, however.

On Saturday, for instance, Pyongyang called on Seoul to help facilitate an increased number of arranged reunions between families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War six decades ago. To this end, both sides have agreed to hold working-level talks on family reunions in Kaesong on Sept 17, according to the Unification Ministry of the ROK.

Meanwhile, the ROK will be offering 5,000 tons of rice aid and 10,000 tons of cement to the DPRK that is experiencing some of its worst flooding in recent memory.

Earlier efforts at detente such as the release of an ROK fishing boat and a detained American citizen are also believed to have eased tensions on the divided Korean Peninsula.

Still, "the new report has undoubtedly cast a shadow on the future of the talks," said Jin Canrong, the associate dean of the School of International Relations at Renmin University of China. "And there is disparity inside ROK government as to the result of the investigation. Currently, at least one-third of the people in the ROK do not think the DPRK should be accused in the Cheonan incident," said Jin.

But the optimistic outlook of the US special envoy indicated a great chance that all parties could be back at the negotiation table soon, Jin added.

Experts also believe that the flexibility DPRK and US officials have shown has been conducive to the talks to reconvene.

AFP contributed to the story.

China Daily

(China Daily 09/14/2010 page11)