DPRK leader meets with Australian FM

Kim Yong-nam, senior leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Wednesday met with visiting Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, reported the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Downer arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday amid reports that Australia is keen to persuade the DPRK to accept the so-called "Libyan Mode" of freezing its nuclear weapons program unilaterally.

Kim, who is the President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, acting as state chief in the DPRK, talked with Downer in a friendly atmosphere at the Mansudae Assembly Hall, reported the KCNA.

Downer's two-day visit is the second of its kind since Australia and the DPRK rebuilt diplomatic relations in 2000.

The DPRK Monday refused to attend the United States-proposed working group meeting in New York and urged the US to give up hostile policy and offer energy compensation for its nuclear freeze, thus laying down a foundation for negotiations.

Prior to his trip, Downer told the press that his country maintained close contacts with the DPRK in the past two years whentensions were high due to the nuclear issue.

Source: Xinhua