The six countries attending the just-concluded six-party talks on the Korean nuclear issue expressed their commitment to a "nuclear-weapon-free" Korean Peninsula, according to the chairman's statement released here Saturday after the talks.

"The Parties expressed their commitment to a nuclear-weapon-free Korean Peninsula, and to resolving the nuclear issue peacefully through dialogue ..." the chairman's statement said.

The United States, China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Russia, the Republic of Korea and Japan concluded their second round of talks Saturday afternoon.

They agreed to take coordinated steps to address the nuclear issue and address the related concerns.

They also agreed to set up a working group in preparation for the next plenary session, scheduled in Beijing "no later than the end of second quarter of 2004," says the statement.

"The terms of reference of the working group will be established through diplomatic channels," it says.

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2004)