As Hyun- Sung Khang reports Seoul, the talks come amid signs reclusive North Korea is prepared to negotiate its missile program, in return for financial and diplomatic gains. South Korean Foreign Affairs Minister Hong Soon-Young is scheduled to hold meetings with his Japanese counterpart and Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi. They are expected to discuss a coordinated approach to any missile launch by North Korea. The visit is part of a concerted campaign to discourage North Korea from any missile launch and to work out a joint response, should it proceed. Monday, the South Korean defense minister will visit China, in a bid to gain Beijing's cooperation in ensuring regional stability.
China is one of the last remaining allies of North Korea.
Current talks come amid signals Pyongyang may be prepared to give up its missile program, in return for diplomatic and economic rewards. Last week, North Korea's official Central News Agency said the country is was always prepared to negotiate, if hostile nations are motivated by a desire to alleviate the concerns of the north. South Korea and the United States cautiously welcome the apparent change in Pyongyang's stance. This is a euphemism for Japanese who are alleged to have been kidnapped by North Korea.