NKorea open to 6-party talks if US sanctions end

PRETORIA, July 11 (Reuters) North Korea is willing to return to six-party talks on its nuclear programme if the United States drops financial sanctions against Pyongyang, Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Hyong Jun said today.

''As soon as the United States lifts financial sanctions, we will readily participate in the next round of the six party talks,'' Kim told reporters in South Africa's capital, where he is on an official visit.

Kim's comments came amid accelerated international efforts to find a diplomatic solution to a crisis sparked by Pyongyang's test-launch of missiles last week.

The top US envoy on North Korea arrived in Beijing today for talks with Chinese officials after the UN Security Council delayed a vote on a Japan-sponsored resolution to impose sanctions on Pyongyang.

China hosted a number of sessions of the six-party talks, also attended by the United States, South Korea, Japan and Russia. The process stalled in November because Pyongyang objected to U.S.

financial sanctions based on claims North Korea counterfeited U.S.

currency and trafficked drugs.

South Africa has friendly relations with both North Korea and key Western nations. Last week South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad said he planned to use today's meeting with Kim to urge a stop to North Korean missile tests.

REUTERS PKS ND1958