Former President Jimmy Carter has sharply criticized the United States and South Korea for withholding humanitarian aid to North Korea. Carter issued the statement at the end of a three-day trip to the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. Carter also said North Korean leader Kim Jim Kong-il is ready to hold direct talks without preconditions.

Jimmy Carter: “Chairman and General Secretary Kim Jong-il sent word that he is willing and the people of North Korea are willing to negotiate with South Korea or with the United States or with the six powers, the other five powers, on any subject, at any time, and without any preconditions. And for the South Koreans and for the Americans and others, deliberately to withhold food aid to the North Korean people because of political or military issues not related is really indeed a human rights violation.”