DATE=7/3/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251388
TITLE=KOREA / TALKS / S-O
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  NORTH AND SOUTH KOREAN NEGOTIATORS HAVE HELD A SURPRISE 
MEETING IN BEIJING -- ONE DAY AFTER SOUTH KOREA SUSPENDED TALKS 
BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES BECAUSE NORTH KOREA WAS UNWILLING TO 
DISCUSS THE REUNION OF FAMILIES DIVIDED BY THE KOREAN WAR.  V-O-A
CORRESPONDENT ROGER WILKISON REPORTS THE SOUTH KOREANS SAY THE 
ONE-ON-ONE TALKS SATURDAY WERE SECRET AND OFFERED NO DETAILS OF 
WHAT TRANSPIRED.

TEXT:  SOUTH KOREAN REPORTERS COVERING THE TALKS SAY SOUTH KOREAN
OFFICIALS TOLD THEM THE NORTH KOREANS PHONED THE SOUTH KOREAN 
DELEGATION FRIDAY -- JUST AFTER SEOUL'S ENVOYS ANNOUNCED THEY 
WERE RETURNING HOME.  THE REPORTERS QUOTE THE OFFICIALS AS SAYING
THE NORTH ASKED FOR A MEETING BETWEEN THE TWO CHIEF NEGOTIATORS.

THE FIRST HIGH-LEVEL TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO KOREA'S IN MORE THAN A
YEAR BROKE DOWN OVER THE NORTH'S REFUSAL TO DISCUSS THE 
FAMILY-REUNION ISSUE, AFTER TEN DAYS OF ON-AGAIN, OFF-AGAIN 
MEETINGS.  SOUTH KOREA SAYS THE NORTH ALSO CONTINUED TO DEMAND AN
APOLOGY FOR LAST MONTH'S NAVAL CLASH IN THE YELLOW SEA, IN WHICH 
THE SOUTH SANK A NORTHERN GUNBOAT.

SOUTH KOREA HAS NOT OFFERED SUCH AN APOLOGY.  SEOUL ALSO REFUSES 
TO SEND 100 THOUSAND TONS OF FERTILIZER IT PROMISED THE NORTH BY 
THE END OF THIS MONTH UNTIL THE NORTH DISCUSSES THE REUNION OF 
SEPARATED FAMILIES IN GOOD FAITH.  THERE IS NO INDICATION IF OR 
WHEN THE IMPASSE WILL BE RESOLVED.  (SIGNED)

NEB / RW / WD / WD

03-Jul-99 1:40 AM EDT (0540 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.