Spokesman for the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry of the Republic of Korea (ROK) said in Beijing Thursday that the ROK had contacted the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The two sides had the contact Wednesday night after the dinner hosted by Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing for delegates to the six-party talks on the Korean nuclear issue, ROK spokesman Shin Bong-Kil said.

Shin also confirmed that the meeting between the ROK and Russia was held after the talks Thursday afternoon.

Delegates from China, the DPRK, the United States, the ROK, Russia and Japan began the six-party talks here Wednesday morning. The talks are scheduled to end Friday.
 
(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2003)