WASHINGTON, May 17 (UPI) -- Top White House advisers have recommended a new approach to dealing with North Korea, including beginning talks on a peace treaty, it was reported.
Citing senior administration officials and Asian diplomats, The New York Times reported the recommendation came even as the White House looks for a way to dismantle North Korea's nuclear program. Aides said President George W. Bush is likely to approve the new approach -- but only if North Korea returns to multinational negotiations on its nuclear program, the Times reported.
The talks have been stalled since September.
North Korea has demanded a peace treaty to replace the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War.
South Korea Wednesday urged North Korea to follow in Libya's footsteps by giving up its nuclear ambitions to improve ties with the United States.
"Libya has become eligible for various incentives from the United States by voluntarily giving up its weapons of mass destruction," South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon told journalists.
North Korea would face a "brighter future" once it abandons its nuclear weapons programs, Ban said.
