Japan and China have urged North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions based on the proposal already on the table, despite Pyongyang’s reluctance to abandon its civil nuclear programme.
With six-nation negotiations between China, Japan, North and South Korea, Russia and the United States due to resume next week after a three-week break, China and Japan are keen to present a united front as they attempt to resolve the outstanding issues.
A draft statement issued by the Chinese is understood to have offered North Korea a security guarantee and energy assistance in exchange for giving up its nuclear programme.
