Russian, North Korean diplomats discuss six-nation nuclear talks

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alekseyev, the head of the Russian delegation at the six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear program, met with North Korean Ambassador to Moscow Pak Ui Chun Friday.

"The sides discussed the continuation of the fourth round of six-nation talks and developments in the resolution of the Korean nuclear problem," the Foreign Ministry said, giving no further details, reports RIA Novosti.

According to Reuters, North Korea has been playing the nuclear card to win diplomatic and economic benefits since a standoff began in October 2002 after Washington said Pyongyang had admitted to a secret program to enrich uranium, violating a 1994 accord.

Pyongyang has since denied having such a program beyond its known plutonium plant.

After a gap of more than a year, the six sides met in Beijing for nearly two weeks before breaking off earlier this month with an agreement to reconvene during the week of August 29.

The next round of six party talks, involving the United States, South Korea, China, Japan, North Korea, and Russia was launched on July 26 in Beijing. The negotiations have been on recess since the last round ended with no agreement on August 7.