AP: China Denies Reports of N. Korea Apology (but no 2nd test planned)

[Eugene]

China Denies Reports of N. Korea Apology


Tuesday October 24, 2006 9:31 AM

BEIJING (AP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Il did not apologize for his
regime's nuclear test when a special envoy from China's president visited
Pyongyang last week, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday.

South Korean news reports said last week that Kim had expressed regret for
the Oct. 9 test during a visit by State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, who delivered
a personal message and a gift from Chinese President Hu Jintao.

"These reports are certainly not accurate," ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao
said at a regular press briefing. "We haven't heard any information that Kim
Jong Il apologized for the test."

Liu also said that the North Koreans told Tang's delegation that "it did not
have a plan to carry out a second test."

"But if it faces pressure, North Korea reserves the right to take further
actions," Liu said, citing Tang.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6167572,00.html