China defense chief in North Korea, to visit South

SEOUL (Reuters) – China’s defense minister arrived in
Pyongyang on Tuesday for unspecified talks at a time when North
Korea is facing strong pressure to return to negotiations aimed
at ending its nuclear weapons programs.

Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan was greeted by North Korean
Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Kim Jong-gak, the
North’s official KCNA news agency said in a brief dispatch. It
did not provide further details.

China, North Korea’s main benefactor, has been urged to
persuade North Korea to agree to another round of so-called
six-party talks including the United States, South Korea, Japan
and Russia. The last round was held in November 2005.

On April 15, Cao is due to lead a delegation of 18 senior
military officers to the South for talks on promoting military
exchanges between the two countries, South Korea’s Defense
Ministry said in a statement.

Cao will also meet South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and
inspect military units and industrial plants, the ministry
said.

The two Koreas are still technically at war after their
fratricidal 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace
pact.