By IANS
Tokyo : Japanese government officials said Friday that they were uncertain whether North Korea would unconditionally return to six-nation talks to end its nuclear programme even after frozen North Korean funds were transferred from a Macau bank and South Korea warned that progress would only get tougher from here.
"There is a possibility North Korea will raise its demands," Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said, adding that he saw no guarantee that the six-party talks, in which Japan participates, would immediately resume even after the granting of a request by unpredictable Pyongyang that the frozen 25 million dollars be released.
More than 20 million dollars reached the New York branch of the US Federal Reserve Friday from the Macau based Banco Delta Asia (BDA), said Japan's Kyodo News Agency, citing Macau financial authorities. It is to be deposited in North Korean accounts at a Russian commercial bank.
The United States froze the money after linking it to money laundering, counterfeiting and drug trafficking.
It was not yet clear whether all of the funds would eventually be transferred, as demanded initially by North Korea, South Korea's Yonhap News agency reported.
The transfer is in motion, South Korea's chief nuclear negotiator, Chun Yung Woo, said at the Incheon International Airport after his return from talks in the United States.
"It should not take too much time to send the money, so the only process left is for North Korea to confirm the transfer," he said.
The negotiator for South Korea – which is also taking part in the nuclear talks with North Korea, Japan, the United States, China and Russia – said the transfer removed the "first hurdle" to the implementation of a February agreement by Pyongyang to shut down its main nuclear reactor.
However, he added, "the future task of denuclearisation is much more difficult than the BDA issue."
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki insisted that North Korea must fulfil its commitments under the February 13 pact despite the frozen fund issue.
It had agreed to shutter its Yongbyon reactor in April and invite UN nuclear inspectors back into North Korea in return for energy aid.
"The time limit has lapsed considerably for the implementation of the initial steps, and North Korea should not waste any time in implementing the initial steps it committed itself to," Japan's top government spokesman said.
Pyongyang demanded the funds be transferred before it rejoins the six-party talks and takes initial denuclearisation steps.