N Korea pulls out of Seoul talks, blames it on South

North Korea said on Monday it was pulling out of economic cooperation talks planned for this week in Seoul, and it blamed the South Korean F...

North Korea said on Monday it was pulling out of economic cooperation talks planned for this week in Seoul, and it blamed the South Korean Foreign Minister for making ‘‘reckless remarks’’ during a recent visit to Washington.

The move was a major blow to the South’s efforts to re-engage North Korea in President Kim Dae-jung’s last year in office and came just days after families divided since the 1950-53 Korean War met in a tentative start to renewed contacts.

S Korea Prez quits

SEOUL: South Korean President Kim Dae-jung resigned from the ruling party on Monday, stepping aside ahead of elections and as opponents criticise the 77-year-old leader over an influence-peddling controversy involving his three sons. Kim’s departure from the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) comes weeks before the World Cup soccer finals start on May 31 and local elections in June.

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South Korean presidents have traditionally stepped aside ahead of elections, though Kim’s departure follows controversy and a bout in hospital to recover from fatigue. Kim formally resigned as the party leader last November. (Reuters)

A statement issued by the official Korea’s Central News Agency said Pyongyang had demanded the South apologise for Foreign Minister Choi Sung-Hong’s comments during a trip to Washington last month.

‘‘The South Korean authorities have failed to do so though many days have passed since the demand was made, thus making it impossible for the planned second meeting of the committee for the promotion of North-South economic cooperation to open as scheduled,’’ it said. ‘‘They should own due responsibility.’’

‘‘There was no official notification,’’ a South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman said. ‘‘The government will hold an emergency meeting later today to discuss counter measures.’’

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Choi was quoted as saying in Washington the North had edged back toward talks in part because of the ‘‘stern attitude’’ of US President George W. Bush’s administration toward North Korea.

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