SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea said on Monday it was open to dialogue with Pyongyang if it was ready to dismantle its nuclear facilities, as the U.S. envoy for North Korea prepared to travel to the region to discuss how to reduce tensions.
North Korea has also signaled a willingness for dialogue after a year of confrontation that included the sinking of a South Korean ship in March, killing 46 sailors, a deadly exchange of artillery fire in November, and threats of war that rattled global markets.
But a breakthrough may prove elusive with both Seoul and Washington saying that before they head back to the negotiating table they want to see proof of North Korea's seriousness to eventually disarm -- something a number of analysts do not believe Pyongyang would ever do.
