US nuclear envoy extends talks with North Korea

The chief US nuclear envoy stayed in North Korea for an unexpected second day of talks to persuade Pyongyang to resume dismantling its nuclear program in exchange for energy aid. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill spent Thursday in North Korea after meeting with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Kye Gwan, at the reclusive nation's invitation, US officials said. He was expected to return to Seoul on Friday. Hill drove to Pyongyang on Wednesday on a mission to salvage the landmark 2007 pact that promised aid and other concessions to the nuclear-ambitious North if it takes apart its atomic facilities.