Ban eyes UN visit to N Korea over nuclear fears

London, Oct 6: South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon, who is poised to become the next head of the United Nations, said he may visit North Korea in his new role to help resolve a standoff over its nuclear ambitions.

In an interview with the Financial Times published today, Ban said he wanted to encourage Pyongyang to engage in diplomatic talks rather than resort to ''negative activities''.

''(Incumbent UN) Secretary General Kofi Annan has made a lot of contributions and taken initiatives by appointing a special envoy, but unfortunately during the last 10 years he has not been able to visit North Korea,'' Ban said.

''As I have gained a much deeper understanding and experience into the inter-Korean relationship, including North Korea, I think I will be in a much better position to handle this issue as secretary-general,'' Ban told the newspaper.

''As the South Korean foreign minister there may be some limitations, but as secretary general of UN, I think I will be able to handle this with North Korean authorities and South Korean authorities to facilitate inter-Korean co-operation and the six-party process.

''If necessary, I will take my own initiatives to visit both North and South Korea and I will try to engage (Pyongyang) myself,'' he said.

The comments came after North Korea sparked global fears by announcing its plan for a nuclear test on Tuesday.

Its neighbours, including China -- the closest the reclusive Stalinist state has to an ally -- have hardened their response to the announcement in contrast to their disunity over missile tests carried out by Pyongyang three months ago.

Ban is expected to succeed Annan as secretary general at a formal ballot on October 9 after he finished first in four informal polls that the UN Security Council members have held since July. Other candidates for the post have since withdrawn.

Reuters

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