US Official: Security Council to Take Up N. Korean Issue Soon -Tension still persists between Washington and Pyongyong By Jung-eun Zyon

SEOUL (TWT): The top U.S. arms control expert says he expects the United Nations Security Council will soon take up the issue of North Korea's nuclear program.

Undersecretary of State John Bolton told reporters in Seoul Wednesday he expects the International Atomic Energy Agency to refer the matter to the Security Council. Mr. Bolton also said he does not expect opposition from any of the five permanent members of the Council.

If the matter is referred to the Council, it could impose economic sanctions against North Korea. Pyongyang has said the imposition of sanctions would be an act of war.

South Korean officials say North Korean delegates to high-level talks in Seoul have told them Pyongyang has no intention of building nuclear weapons. A South Korean spokesman said the statement came after Seoul urged the North to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

Russian Foreign Ministry official Alexander Losyukov says North Korea is ready to open dialogue with the United States. Mr. Losyukov held a surprise meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il on Monday.