US Special Representative for the DPRK Stephen Bosworth speaks upon arrival at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on Tuesday. He said he hopes serious negotiations over Pyongyang's nuclear program could start in the near future. [Photo/Agencies]

Washington is upbeat over chances regarding DPRK denuclearization

SEOUL - The US envoy for policy on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said on Tuesday he hoped serious negotiations over Pyongyang's nuclear program could start in the near future.

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Relations between the rival countries plummeted to a new low in 2010 after the sinking of a Republic of Korea (ROK) ship, killing 46 sailors, a deadly exchange of artillery fire, nuclear revelations and threats of war that sent tremors worldwide.

"We believe that serious negotiations must be at the heart of any strategy for dealing with the DPRK and we look forward to being able to launch those at a reasonably early time," Stephen Bosworth said upon arrival in the ROK.

Bosworth will meet with ROK foreign ministry officials on Wednesday before heading to China and Japan for further consultations on DPRK issues.

The US envoy for nuclear talks with DPRK, Sung Kim, is travelling with Bosworth to Seoul and Beijing.

Although rhetorical sparring has continued, in recent days Seoul and Pyongyang have suggested they could have diplomatic talks. Analysts say chances of a breakthrough are slim.

Beijing has called for a return to the Six-Party Talks including the DPRK, the ROK, Japan, Russia and the United States.

Seoul and Washington have said that before they head back to the negotiating table they want to see proof of Pyongyang's seriousness to eventually disarm - something many analysts doubt it will ever do.

The DPRK appears to want to return to the talks, where it has won substantial aid in the past after ratcheting up tensions.

The six-way process has been stalled for more than two years after Pyongyang walked out.

Reuters