Top nuclear negotiators from South Korea, Japan and the U.S. will discuss how to persuade North Korea to give up its atomic weapons next week at a regional economic forum in Vietnam, ap quoted an official as saying Friday. The meeting will be held in Hanoi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing protocol. The envoys were to exchange views on how to proceed with six-nation talks on ending North Korea's nuclear program that are expected to resume soon, the official said, adding that the date of the meeting has not been set. South Korea's Foreign Ministry issued a statement confirming the talks. It said the three sides will meet Wednesday in Hanoi. Envoys will «discuss measures related to resumption of the six party talks and ways to implement a joint statement» adopted in September 2005, when the North pledged to give up its nuclear programs in exchange for aid and security guarantees, the statement said. The meeting comes after North Korea agreed to return to the talks, following its test of a nuclear weapon on Oct. 9, a move that triggered international outrage and economic sanctions. North Korea, which claims its nuclear ambitions are aimed at deterring U.S. attacks, had boycotted the nuclear talks _ involving the two Koreas, the U.S., China, Japan and Russia _ since November 2005. No date has yet been set for their resumption.
