The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will adhere to principles while showing flexibility in the six-party talks.

DPRK delegation head, Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan, made the remarks in the opening session of the six-party talks held in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse Wednesday.

Kim said the second round of talks will chart the course for resolving the nuclear issue in the future and described the talks "an important opportunity".

Kim hoped sincere efforts made by all sides can produce "a positive result" in the second round of talks.

To this end, the DPRK delegation will adhere to principles while showing flexibility in accordance with the consistent stance adopted by the DPRK government, he said.

The relaunching of the six-party talks demonstrated the common aspiration of all sides to peacefully resolve the nuclear issue, he said.

Such aspiration itself forms the basis for the DPRK and the United States to maximally narrow the gap in stance and viewpoints for thawing deadlock, he said.

Kim also expressed gratitude to China's endurable efforts for relaunching the second round of talks.

The six-party talks on the Korean nuclear issue involve China, the DPRK, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan.

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2004)