Remarks on North Korea

Remarks by Kurt M. Campbell

Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

Seoul, South Korea

June 10, 2011

ASSISTANT SECRETARY CAMPBELL:  In all of our meetings we urged China to make best efforts to encourage North Korea to improve relations with South Korea. I think it would be fair to say that the Chinese interlocutors were concerned by the disruptions in talks and a little surprised and very much want to see improvement in a dialogue between the North and the South and we've encouraged that process as well.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY CAMPBELL: I think we have to recall that it is South Korea that has experienced the tragedies of the sinking of the Cheonan and the shelling of the island, and it is South Korea that has responded with dignity and we have enormous respect and support.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY CAMPBELL:  We are still reviewing a substantial amount of data, we did very clearly communicate to South Korean friends that no decision has been taken and that under any circumstances, we will coordinate closely in advance with South Korea as we go forward.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY CAMPBELL:  It would be fair to say that the Chinese interlocutors were concerned by the disruptions in talks and a little surprised and very much want to see improvement in a dialogue between the North and the South and we've encouraged that process as well.