Seoul may drop apology demand

Seoul may drop its demand that Pyongyang first apologize for allegedly sinking one of its warships before long-stalled six-party nuclear disarmament talks can resume, a report said Tuesday.

A willingness by Pyongyang to give up its nuclear ambitions is more important to restarting the Six-Party Talks than an apology for the sinking of the Cheonan, a senior South Korean presidential aide told the Yonhap News Agency.

"With regard to the talks, whether North Korea has the will to denuclearize is the more important condition," he was quoted as saying.

The comments are being seen as a shift in Seoul's previous policy of linking the two issues, Yonhap reported.

South Korea previously opposed reopening the Six-Party Talks, saying North Korea should first apologize for torpedoing the corvette in March, which cost the lives of 46 sailors. Pyongyang has vehemently denied the accusation.

The official, however, stressed that Seoul still regards the ship sinking as "the most important factor" in relations with North Korea.

"Even if we do not set the Cheonan issue as a direct condition, it can be one of the important barometers in judging Pyongyang's sincerity," he told Yonhap.

North Korea has indicated a willingness in principle to return to the talks, but the US says Pyongyang must mend relations with the South and show sincerity about nuclear disarmament before any resumption of the negotiations.

AFP