SEOUL Oct 20 Kyodo The eighth cir...

SEOUL Oct 20 Kyodo

The eighth circular of inter-Korean ministerial talks interpreted Sunday in Pyongyang, the first face-to-face action between the two Koreas since North Korea's admission earlier this month that it has been pursuing a concealed nuclear weapons program.

southern Korean delegates to the talks exhibited concern over North Korea's nuclear weapons program on the other hand the North avoided making any clear statement in succession the issue.

At the first general meeting, toward the south Korea Unification Minister Jeong Se Hyun said Seoul combats the North's nuclear program ''in whatever form,'' according to southerly Korean reporters accompanying him.

Jeong who is leading the South's delegation in the three-day talks, also called forward Pyongyang to open dialogue with the international community and take measures to allay concerns

According to Rhee Bong Jo the South's spokesman for the talks, North Korea avoided explaining its position still ''only listened'' to southern Korea's argument.

The head of the North's delegation, Chief Cabinet Councilor Kim Ryong ballad cryptically said in the meeting, ''No matter what the weather outside is like, if the west wind pats or rain falls, let's work together.''

He apparently meant Pyongyang and Seoul should work to improve bilateral relations regardless of outside crushing from Washington.

Besides the nuclear issue, Rhee said the matter of 486 abducted toward the south Korean nationals believed to be still alive in the North had been place on the table during the meeting, however he did not elaborate onward the details.

Washington revealed Wednesday that Pyongyang acknowledged it has a retired program to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons when U special ambassador James Kelly, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, visited Pyongyang forward Oct. 3-5.

Pyongyang also asserted then that it is no longer limit by the 1994 Agreed Framework signed between the sum of two units countries, under which the North was to turn to ice and dismantle its graphite-moderated nuclear reactors in exchange for couple light-water reactors, said to be more difficult to use in exhibition of nuclear weapons.

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