SEOUL, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said Thursday that six-nation talks are the sole way to resolve the issue of North Korea's nuclear weapons.
In a New Year's press conference, Roh predicted the six-way talks would resume shortly after U.S. President George W. Bush finishes the lineup for a diplomatic team for his second term. Bush will be re-inaugurated Jan. 20.
"I think the conditions are ripe for the six-party talks to resume," Roh said. "But I cannot tell you specifically when the six-party talks will take place, because I don't want to give you a wrong date."
The six nations participating in the talks about North Korea's nuclear program are China, Japan, Russia, the United States and the two Koreas.
Roh said he does not want to have any negative or pessimistic prospects on the six-way talks. "I will only have hopes and strive to make the talks successful," he said.
Roh said he was ready to meet "anytime, anywhere" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, but added that he would not press for a summit in the near future because chances for such a meeting are not high.
