The six-party talks on Korean nuclear issues have reached a "standoff," US envoy Christopher Hill said late yesterday in Beijing.
"There wasn't much progress today," Hill told reporters.
He said major "disagreement" exists between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"The DPRK has a whole new concept," he said, noting that the previous four drafts of a common document made no mention of a light-water reactor.
Hill made clear that none of the parties involved would fulfill the DPRK's demand for such a reactor, saying, "It is not an economic or energy issue but a political issue."
The other parties to the talks are China, South Korea, Russian and Japan.
Hill expressed a willingness to continue the discussions, nonetheless.
"The six-party talks are useful, but it doesn't mean they are easy, " Hill said. "We need patience."
"There will be a point at which we look at a deadline, but we are not at that point yet," Hill said. "I will be here as long as it is useful."
The US and DPRK chief delegates had two bilateral meetings during the first two days of the latest round of talks. Hill said the delegations are not considering a new draft of a common document.
"The fourth-draft is pretty good. We have made a lot of compromises," he said.
The six parties reopened the fourth round of talks in the Chinese capital on Tuesday after a five-week recess.
The discussions hit a snag on Wednesday when the DPRK delegation insisted on its right to a civilian nuclear program, especially a light-water reactor.
Washington rejected the DPRK's demand, saying it is not on the table.
"The light-water reactor for us is a non-starter," Hill said yesterday morning.
The DPRK hardened its demand for a light-water reactor last night.
"There was no progress today owing to the differences between the DPRK and the United States," a DPRK delegation spokesman told a news briefing.
"The light-water reactor issue is the main obstacle in the talks," said DPRK spokesman Hyon Hak-bong. "The key to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is building trust, while the key to building trust is providing a light-water reactor."
The DPRK has insisted on having a light-water reactor since the nuclear issue first emerged, said Hyon.
(Xinhua)