DPRK Cancels Meeting With Seoul on Economic Cooperation

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, May 07, 2002

DPRK Cancels Meeting With Seoul on Economic Cooperation

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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said May 6 in Pyongyang that it has canceled a meeting with South Korea on economic cooperation between the two sides due to "reckless" remarks made recently by the South's foreign minister.

A statement published by the official Korean Central News Agency said the second meeting of the committee for the promotion of North-South economic cooperation will not open as scheduled.

The meeting was planned to open in Seoul Tuesday according to an April 15 joint press release by the DPRK and South Korea.

The statement held South Korea responsible for the postponement,saying South Korean Foreign and Trade Minister Choi Sung-hong made"reckless remarks" echoing U.S. policy toward the DPRK during his visit to the United States last month.

Choi was quoted by The Washington Post as saying that "sometimes carrying a big stick works in forcing North Korea to come forward."

The DPRK statement called Choi Sung-hong's remarks "a very grave provocation" and said the remarks "hindered dialogue and cooperation" between the two sides.

"The South Korean authorities, if they truly want progress in the North-South relations in the spirit of the June 15 joint declaration, should apologize for such behavior and take a responsible and understanding step for it," the statement said.

The South Korean authorities have failed to do so since the demand was made, thus making it impossible for the meeting to openas scheduled, said the statement.

"They should take due responsibility for it," and the DPRK "will continue to wait for their responsible step," the statement added.

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