U.S. denies reports on discussions with China over N. Korean contingency

Yonhap News ^ | 03/19/10 | Hwang Doo-hyong

[TigerLikesRooster]

U.S. denies reports on discussions with China over N. Korean contingency

By Hwang Doo-hyong

WASHINGTON, March 18 (Yonhap) -- The United States Thursday denied reports that it will soon have closed-door discussions with South Korea and China on plans for upheaval in North Korea.

"I have not been told we are going to have this type of meeting at this particular point," a senior State Department official said, asking not to be named. "If we are working on that in sort of an early stage, that could be possible."

Reports said that representatives of the U.S. Pacific Command and state-run defense think tanks of South Korea and China will get together in Beijing next month to discuss control of nuclear arms and other weapons of mass destruction and refugees in case of a coup or the sudden death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell reportedly said in Seoul recently that he believes the ailing North Korean leader may have only three years to live, based on medical analyses.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Local reports says that the meeting will take place in Beijing and Changchun, starting on Apr. 16. Subsequent meetings could be held in June and July in Seoul and Hawaii.

[TigerLikesRooster]

P!

[SevenofNine]

Hawaii let me think who may take his vacation in Big Islands

I see our President NEVER MIND

[tanuki]

Sounds like something’s gonna hit the fan.

[caww]

I imagine these talks have been likely a go for awhile, as he said perhaps at early stages. But Kim is not well and maybe when he bites the bullit they want to be positioned before his son assumes power...

Now I realize this might be dream thinking, but I still hope and pray N. Koreas people might have a better government there..and Even if China does step up along with S. Korea it will be far better than what they have now.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thanks for the ping.