Ban hopes differences on Korean denuclearization will be resolved soon

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed hope that critical differences on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula will be overcome after they were left unresolved by Six-Party Talks that ended yesterday, despite what he called “serious discussions.”

“The Secretary-General strongly supports the goal of verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner,” his spokesperson said in a statement issued after the latest round of talks between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and China, the Republic of Korea, the United States, the Russian Federation and Japan.

“In this regard, he appreciates that the Parties have reaffirmed this goal and unanimously agreed to advance the Six-Party Talks,” the spokesperson added on the results of the meeting, which began on 8 December.

Verification of nuclear activities was among the issues over which the parties remained at odds in the talks, according to the statement.