Bill Richardson Hosts N. Korean Delegation

(CBS/AP)  Last Updated at 3:05 p.m. EDT

Gov. Bill Richardson said his meeting with a delegation of North Korean diplomats is a "hopeful sign" of improving relations with the reclusive nation.

Richardson met Wednesday with a pair of representatives from the North Korean mission to the United Nations.

During a brief appearance with reporters at the New Mexico governor's mansion, Richardson declined to comment on the substance of the talks or say why the North Koreans had requested the meeting with him.

A spokesman for the governor said the meetings are expected to continue throughout the day.

Richardson had dinner with the North Koreans on Tuesday night.

The North Koreans had requested the visit, but the governor's office said Richardson will not be negotiating nor will he be representing the Obama administration.

The delegation, which includes Minister Myong Gil Kim and Councilor Jong Ho Paek, also is scheduled to receive briefings on renewable energy initiatives in New Mexico on Thursday.

Richardson was ambassador to the United Nations in the Clinton administration and for years has served as a roving diplomatic troubleshooter, including missions to North Korea, Sudan, Cuba and Iraq.

[hamiltongrad]

Who are we to judge ?

[notsouthern]

Richardson is still governor of NM, even after being exposed for taking millions in out of state campaign contributions in what has become on of the most corrupt governorship's in NM history. Too bad for New MExicans that their state legislature has no backbone at all to impeach the bastardd Richardson.

[donnerwetter]

It is amazing how polititians try to fool the public. Clinton is a sex maniac and Richerson is a crook but both of these guys represent the USA abroad and get paid for it. This is proof that America is nothing more that a corupt wasteland, operating with guns instead of applying and enforcing reasonable laws. No wonder other nations including Canada do not like or respect America,

[byrdh5n1]

Learn to spell before you venture outside your trailer....

[stn_sage]

I agree! Both Clinton and Richardson ARE being used as pseudo-Secretaries of State which is both ETHICALLY and LEGALLY wrong!

What this clearly demonstrates is a total lack of respect for the U.S. law, procedures under the law, and the citizens of the United States!

Not only are these men acting in a capacity outside the law, but they ARE of questionable moral and ethical virtue as pointed out by donnerwetter!

We HAVE a Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton! Now, if she CAN'T do the job, then she SHOULD be replaced! If she can, then let HER do it!

But, this pick any former elected Democrat-of-the-week to handle foreign affairs MUST stop! It sends the wrong message to the rest of the world!

[zonkzilla]

Good.
We should respect the North Koreans.
If the US can make nice nice with Communist Vietnam and Communist China, why are we treating North Korea like dirt?
Enough of the failed cold war policies.