Kerry has no plans to meet with N. Korean FM in New York: source

WASHINGTON, April 12 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has no plans to meet with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong, scheduled to visit New York next week for the signing of a U.N. climate agreement, a diplomatic source Tuesday.

The U.N. plans to hold the high-level signing ceremony on April 22 for the so-called Paris Agreement adopted in December to replace the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, and the North's Ri is scheduled to attend the ceremony, according to the U.N. spokesman's office.

The planned visit drew attention as it would mark Ri's first since tensions spiked following the North's fourth nuclear test in January, its long-range rocket launch in February and the adoption of a new U.N. sanctions resolution last month.

The trip could provide opportunities for Ri to hold talks with U.S. officials, such as Kerry, but a diplomatic source said that the top American diplomat has no plans to meet with his North Korean counterpart.

The State Department had no comment.

Ri last visited New York in September for the U.N. General Assembly.
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