Pyongyang recently warned Seoul against participating in the U.S. planned national missile defense program, another topic of discussion at the Hanoi meeting, delegates said. After a series of groundbreaking talks last year, relations between Washington and Pyongyang have cooled considerably since the Bush administration took office in January. Although last week the United States endorsed South Korea's ''sunshine policy'' of engagement with its Stalinist neighbor to the north, no U.S. officials have met with North Koreans this year. But he added that he would be willing to explain the program to any delegates who raised it in the closed-door meetings. Several countries did voice concern about the missile defense program, which some fear will spark a new arms race, according to Chinese delegate Lua Zaohui.
China is one of the most outspoken opponents of the U.S. plan.
This week's informal meetings are to continue through Saturday, with some delegates taking their discussions Friday to special chartered boats at scenic Halong Bay, more than 200 km northeast of Hanoi. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All rights reserved.