国际英语新闻：All relevant issues to be discussed in Pyongyang: UN envoy

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- A UN envoy on Saturday said here that he plans to discuss all relevant issues with officials of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) during his visit in Pyongyang next week.

Lynn Pascoe, under-secretary-general of the United Nations for political affairs, said he "expect to talk about the entire range of issue" while visiting Pyongyang, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Pascoe made the remarks following a meeting with Seoul's chief nuclear negotiator Wi Sung-lac and when asked by local reporters whether he will discuss with DPRK's officials on the possibility of lifting the international sanctions imposed by the United Nations after Pyongyang tested long-range rockets in April and a nuclear bomb in May.

But the special envoy of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the DPRK was reluctant to reveal whether he brings an autograph letter from Ban and the detailed schedule for his trip to Pyongyang.

He said he had "excellent" discussions with Wi on a wide range of issues, including his visit to Pyongyang.

Pascoe arrived here earlier in the day, and is set to head to the DPRK on Tuesday. During his stop in Pyongyang, he will meet with the DPRK's Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun and other high-level officials, and discuss with them issues ranging from Pyongyang's nuclear program to humanitarian aids, according to South Korean media.

Later in the day, Pascoe also met South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and they exchanged views on cooperation between Seoul and the United Nations, and pending issues on the Korean Peninsula, including the process of the denuclearization of the DPRK, according to Yonhap.

The UN Security Council on June 12, 2009 adopted Resolution 1874 that allowed wider sanctions against the DPRK on the issue of its May 25 nuclear test.

The resolution banned all weapons exports from the DPRK and most arms imports into the country, authorized UN member states to inspect the DPRK's sea, air and land cargo and required them to seize and destroy any goods transported in violation of the sanctions.

The DPRK has rejected the resolution and announced it has quitted the six-party talks aimed at denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.