U.S. Envoy To North Korea Set For First Trip

Clinton said Bosworth`s first trip as the new special representative would include stops in Japan, South Korea, China and Russia.

In a U.S. push to revive North Korea talks, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Thursday her special envoy would go to Asian capitals and Moscow to discuss how to curb the North's nuclear weapons program.

The new special representative for North Korea policy, Stephen Bosworth, would leave next week for Japan, South Korea, China and Russia to consult on how to "move the six-party process forward," said Clinton, with Bosworth at her side.

"He is wasting no time in undertaking his new assignment," Clinton added.

The trip comes as North Korea is believed to be preparing for a long-range missile launch, which is seen as putting pressure on the new U.S. government as it reviews policy towards the North.

Bosworth, a former ambassador to South Korea, was named last week as the administration's special representative for North Korea and would be a senior emissary for engagement with the north, Clinton said.

"He will work closely with our allies and partners to convince North Korea to become a constructive part of the international community," Clinton said.

Senior U.S. diplomat Sung Kim will accompany Bosworth and will lead day-to-day efforts in consulting with allies and head the U.S. delegation in the six-party talks tackling North Korea, Clinton said.

TALKS NEAR A HALT

Talks between the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States on the North's nuclear ambitions have all but ground to a halt, most recently stuck on Pyongyang's refusal to allow nuclear material to be taken abroad for tests.

Clinton said Bosworth was an experienced envoy who was poised to interact with officials "at the highest levels."

"We believe his involvement will facilitate high-level engagement with North Korea and our other partners and enhance our efforts to move forward in the six-party process and realize our goal of the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner," she said.

Asked whether he had plans to meet with North Koreans on this trip, Bosworth said it depended on the outcome of consultations with other partners.

"We plan to engage with North Korea, the question of whether we are going to engage with them on this particular trip remains to be decided," he added.

Bosworth was in North Korea on a private visit this year and said he got the impression the North was interested in maintaining a dialogue begun by the U.S. official in charge of North Korean negotiations under the Bush administration, Chris Hill.

Hill, a seasoned diplomat, has been tapped as the new U.S. Ambassador to Iraq although an announcement has not yet been made on his nomination.

"In my judgment they see the benefits to them of engagement with the outside world," said Bosworth of North Korea's wish to continue contacts with the new administration.

"A lot depends upon their internal assessment of our intentions and the intentions of their neighbors," he said.