Pyongyang requests nuclear talks

August 26, 1:06 AMPhiladelphia Foreign Affairs ExaminerIvanley Noisette

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Stepehn Bosworth (left) AP

After months of testy relations with the Washington, Pyongyang is reported to have invited the US to a fresh round of nuclear talks.

Sources from Washington have indicated that the invitation was accepted and that the US special envoy to North Korea, Stephen Bosworth, will fly out next month to engage in talks The Christian Science Monitor reports.

The Obama administration, however, reaffirmed its interest in only holding talks within the Chinese sponsored six-party framework that North Korea previously withdrew from.

Despite the conflicting reports, the move is the latest in a series of signals sent from North Korea that illustrate its desire to move out of diplomatic isolation. North Korea also agreed to arrange negotiations with the Red Cross and South Korea aimed at reuniting families separated by Korean War.

Earlier this month, Pyongyang freed two imprisoned American journalists after a humanitarian visit from former US President Bill Clinton.

Many experts believe that North Korea has softened its tone because it is in dire need of economic support. Others contend that Pyongyang has been purposefully defiant and brazen up to this point in order to secure greater leverage during negotiations.

If the US special envoy is sent to North Korea, and talks do indeed take place, it will mark the Obama administration’s first official nuclear negotiations with North Korea.