Visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday announced Stephen Bosworth will work as US special envoy on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea ( DPRK).

Clinton made the announcement at a joint news conference in Seoul with her South Korean counterpart Yu Myung-hwan.

Bosworth has served as US Ambassador to South Korea from 1997 to 2000 and Executive Director of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization from 1995-1997.

At the news conference, Clinton said the United States will try to convince the DPRK to begin a process within the six-party talks toward the complete and verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons.

The US government "will be discussing what way we can best approach North Korea (DPRK) so that we present a united front with respect to all of the issues that are of concern but the most immediate issue is to continue the disablement of their nuclear facilities and to get a complete and verifiable agreement as to the end of their nuclear program," Clinton said.

The US top diplomat also urged resumption of dialogues between South Korea and the DPRK, saying Pyongyang "is not to get a different relationship with the United States while insulting and refusing dialogue with the Republic of Korea (South Korea)."

As to the recent tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Clinton said the United States are asking the DPRK to "refrain from the provocation and unhelpful war of words it has been engaged in."

A spokesman for DPRK Army said Thursday that Pyongyang was fully ready for "all-out confrontation" with Seoul and warned that South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's administration will meet " the merciless and stern punishment by the army and people of the DPRK". The remarks triggered worries of military conflicts between South Korea and the DPRK.

Clinton will pay calls to South Korean president and prime minister respectively on Friday. She is to leave for Beijing late on the day to continue her four-nation Asian tour.

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2009)