North Korea's new leadership must improve ties with South Korea if it wants to have better relations with the outside world, a senior American diplomat said Tuesday, offering the prospect of renewed engagement with Pyongyang after
the death of Kim Jong-il.

North Korea expressed hope for better ties with the United States earlier this month, but virtually shut its door to South Korea, declaring that it will no longer deal with the government of President Lee Myung-bak, which it said deliberately failed to pay due respects to the late Kim.

Campbell arrived in Seoul for a two-day visit as the first leg of his Asia tour. On Wednesday, he will meet with Lim Sung-nam, South Korea's chief envoy to the stalled six-party talks on ending North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

The international community is keeping a wary eye on the North's untested new leader, Kim Jong-un, who took over Pyongyang's communist regime after his father died of a heart attack last month. The young leader, believed to be in his late 20s, was made a four-star general and a key party member in 2010.

Many analysts have raised concerns that the young Kim may launch another provocation, or military attack, against South Korea to help him consolidate power and internal unity. 

Tension remains high on the Korean Peninsula after two deadly North Korean provocations in 2010 that left a total of 50 South Koreans killed.

However, Campbell said he was confident of deterring North Korea. 
"I have much greater confidence about developments in North Korea because of the partnership with South Korea," the diplomat said.

"Our partnership is so tight, our consultations are so close that I'm confident that whatever happens, we will be able to meet the challenges together," said Campbell. 

Campbell made the remarks at the forum marking the 55th anniversary of foundation of the Korea Society, a private organization dedicated to the promotion of understanding and cooperation between the allies.

The death of Kim has stalled renewed diplomacy to reopen the six-party talks, which involve the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the U.S. The talks have been dormant since late 2008, but efforts to get North Korea back to the negotiating table gained some momentum last year.

"There is hope in diplomacy," Campbell said. "That hope in diplomacy rests in the reality of a very strong deterrence and military commitment that will be unwavering." (Yonhap News)