Delegates from six countries gathered today for talks aimed at dismantling North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.
Under an agreement reached on February 13th, Pyongyang must disable its nuclear facilities and give a complete declaration of all its nuclear programmes. In return, the communist state will receive 950,000 metric tons of heavy fuel or the equivalent.
Japanese chief negotiator Kenichiro Sasae arrives at a hotel ahead of the six-party talks in Beijing today. Image: Reuters.
Top US negotiator Christopher Hill said he planned to hold talks with the North Koreans before the "six-party" talks begin in Beijing today.
"I wanted to follow up on some issues that we didn't get to last night, and I wanted to do it in a more structured environment," he said.
The six-party talks involve the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States.
North Korea shut down and sealed its Soviet-era Yongbyon nuclear plant and allowed UN atomic energy monitors back to the site in July, following the six-party deal.
In return, Pyongyang has received shiploads of heavy fuel oil and held bilateral talks with the United States that could bring the impoverished state out of diplomatic isolation.