U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he is willing to go to NorthKorea if it would help foster dialogue on Pyongyang's nuclear program.The U.N. chief also said he has made overtures to the authorities inthe North on behalf of two imprisoned American journalists.
Mr.Ban, a former South Korean foreign minister, said he is concerned aboutthe situation on the Korean peninsula, particularly since internationaltalks about Pyongyang's nuclear program have broken down.
"I amalso concerned that all the doors for dialogue have been shut by theDPRK authorities. At this time, however, while I believe that the SixParty Talks still can provide a good way for a solution throughdialogue, if necessary, then there should be some other forms ofdialogue," he said.
Mr. Ban told reporters at his monthly newsconference Wednesday that he welcomed North Korea's recent offer tohold bilateral talks with the United States, saying dialogue is vitalin any format and is the only way to resolve the nuclear issue.
Butthe United States said Monday any two-way talks could only be part ofthe Six Party Talks that include China, Japan, Russia and South Korea.
The U.N. chief said he is ready to use his good offices to help the process, and did not rule out a visit to North Korea.
"Thesituation in the Korean peninsula is very serious, and whatever I cando as secretary-general I am willing to do - including my own visit toPyongyang at this time. However, I need to find out when would be anappropriate timing for me to visit," he said.
Asked if theUnited Nations has played any role in trying to free two Americanjournalists imprisoned in Pyongyang, Mr. Ban said he has personallytried to help win their release.
"I have taken my owninitiative, even though I am not able to disclose it," he said. "On twooccasions I have conveyed my strong wish and appeal even, to DPRKauthorities that they should look at this issue and release them, evenon humanitarian grounds. That is what I have been doing now."
Mr. Ban said he could not disclose any more details about his efforts.
The two female reporters were found guilty of entering the country illegally in March and sentenced to 12 years of hard labor.