The delegations of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) agreed to ensure a good result of the second round of the six-party talks in their pre-talks consultation in Beijing Tuesday evening.  

The DPRK delegation is led by the DPRK's Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan, and the ROK delegation is headed by the ROK's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Lee Soo-Hyuck.

Lee Soo-Hyuck said the two sides earnestly exchanged views on details of the forthcoming talks, including the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and the stance of each party. The consultation, in a pragmatic manner, was half hour longer than the originally planned one hour. The two sides also agreed to keep frequent bilateral contact in the talks.

The two sides spend a long time on consultation and exchange of views on freezing nuclear facilities. The consultation helped the two sides better understand each other's stand, said Lee.

Showing optimism over the prospect of the six-party talks, Lee said China and DPRK, during their consultations with the ROK, both expressed that ROK would play an important role in the talks.

DPRK and Russia delegations had consultations Tuesday afternoon. ROK and Russia will also have consultation Wednesday morning.

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2004)