North Korea likely to pursue talks, South says in rosy New Year forecast

Seoul

SOUTH KOREA predicted on Tuesday that North Korea would look to open negotiations with the United States over its weapons programmes next year and pursue at least some rapprochement with Seoul in an optimistic government outlook for 2018.

The UN Security Council unanimously imposed new, tougher sanctions on North Korea on Friday for its recent intercontinental ballistic missile test, a move the North branded an economic blockade and act of war.

"North Korea will seek negotiation with the United States, while continuing to pursue its effort to be recognised as a de facto nuclear-possessing country," South Korea's Unification Ministry said in a repo…