U.S. Briefs N.K. on Missile Plan

The U. S. had explained its Missile Defense (MD) prior to President Bush`s announcement last Tuesday, it was reported on Sunday, high-ranking govenment official said that ``the U. S. explained appropriately its plan through the routine diplomatic channel to the North, in order to take into consideration our government`s position pursuing a peace policy toward the North, while eschewing any misconception that the MD system aims at North Korea directly.``

However, the North’s response to the U.S.’s prior explanation was not known, added this official. And it is reported that although high-level dialogue between North Korea and the U. S. undergone during the Clinton administration, had been suspended since the beginning of the Bush administration, working-level talks through UN Representative Council in New York is still going under way.

Meanwhile, NK Pyongyang Broadcasting and Chosun Central Broadcasting reported on 5th that many countries in the world are opposing the plan to deploy the MD system that President Bush proposed.

Boo Hyung-Kwon bookum90@donga.com