North Mum to Seoul But Excoriates U.S.

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North Mum to Seoul But Excoriates U.S.

A day after North Korea abruptly called off a cabinet-level meeting with the South, government officials in Seoul were unable to pinpoint reasons for the cancellation.

Asked what the situation is in the North, a Unification Ministry official said, a North Korean liaison officer at the truce village of Panmunjom only replied, "We have received no orders from our superiors."

South Korean government officials rested hopes on the return of Culture and Tourism Minister Kim Han-gill, who has just completed a five-day visit to Pyongyang.

Mr. Kim, who returned to Seoul late Wednesday, is expected to participate Thursday in the National Security Council meeting.

"As we implored the North for early resumption of talks Tuesday, we believe that now the ball is in their court," a Unification Ministry official said.

Citing remarks by the British permanent undersecretary of state at the Foreign Office, John Kerr, who is in Seoul following a recent visit to Pyongyang, some South Korean government officials seemed to be less anxious about the North's intentions.

Mr. Kerr was reported to have said that North Korean officials seemed quite dedicated to holding the second summit.

North Korea, however, stepped up its anti-U.S. rhetoric Wednesday, warning that Washington's "pro-vocative attitude" toward its country will not be tolerated.

In an editorial, "The United States Is the Chief Instigator of Provocation and War, and Destroyer of Peace," state media blasted the United States for labeling North Korea as a terrorist country, as well as for allegedly increasing its provocations.

"We will in no way tolerate any behavior that hurts our integrity and challenges our republic," Radio Pyongyang said.

Such rhetoric, packaged in six different broadcasts, was interpreted by a senior government official as an expression of dissatisfaction with the Bush administration.

Meanwhile, the South's Red Cross said the first-ever correspondence between the two Koreas will take place as scheduled on Thursday.


by Lee Young-jong

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