Six nations open talks in Panmunjom

SEOUL, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Working groups from six nations on North Korea’s denuclearization met Monday on the South Korean side of Panmunjom to decide on aid details.

The meeting of representatives from the United States, Russia, China, Japan and the two Koreas in the demilitarized zone is a continuation of a process that is expected to culminate in North Korea disabling its nuclear facilities and disclosing all its nuclear programs to the other five members.

In return, under an agreement reached last February, the communist country will get 1 million tons of heavy fuel oil and other extensive economic aid.

“We are gathered here to conduct the quite difficult business of providing energy and economic assistance to (North Korea),” said South Korean representative Lim Sung-nam, Yonhap news agency reported.

As part of the process, other groups will work on setting up a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula and normalizing diplomatic ties between North Korea and the United States, as well as Japan.

Lim was quoted as saying North Korea has provided “a specific list” of energy equipment and assistance in exchange for disabling its key nuclear facilities and declaring all its nuclear programs by the year's end.