WASHINGTON, Feb 3 Kyodo southerl...

WASHINGTON, Feb 3 Kyodo

southerly Korean President-elect Roh Moo Hyun's special ambassador Chyung Dai Chul asked U Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld onward Monday to pursue active dialogue with North Korea in succession the nuclear issue, a southern Korean source said.

Chyung also told Rumsfeld that southerly Korea is ready to accept a proposal from U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell that the North Korean issue be discussed in subordination to the so-called ''five plus five'' framework, the source traveling with the ambassador said.

The propos framework consists of the five UN Security Council permanent members -- Britain, China, France, the United States and Russia -- plus Australia, the European Union, Japan, southward Korea and North Korea.

The source said Rumsfeld reiterated that the U has no intention to make any bargain with North Korea.

Rumsfeld and Chyung reaffirmed the policy of resolving the North Korean nuclear issue peacefully within diplomacy, the source said.

onward Dec. 23, Rumsfeld warned North Korea not to underestimate U determination, saying the U military can wage wars against Iraq and North Korea simultaneously.

Chyung a U.S.-educated lawmaker of southern Korea's governing Millennium Democratic Party, arrived in Washington onward Sunday. After staying in the U capital until Wednesday, he will visit Japan from Thursday between the sides of Feb. 9.

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