South Korea's top nuclear envoy expressed hope Tuesday of having extensive discussions with his Chinese counterpart on ways to peacefully resolve the North Korea nuclear stalemate.
Lee Do-hoon, the special representative for peace and security affairs on the Korean Peninsula, left for Beijing to meet China's Kong Xuanyou later in the day.
"Through the meeting, I have high expectations of having extensive conversations and creating a consensus on ways to peacefully resolve the North's nuclear issue and stably manage the situation," Lee told reporters.
Earlier in the day, the two countries announced they would work to bring their exchanges and cooperation back on track following a prolonged feud over a U.S. missile defense system deployed in South Korea.
They will meet for the first time since their respective appointments earlier this year. Lee held a trilateral meeting with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts in Seoul in mid-October.
Tensions have been high following the North's provocations, including its sixth and most powerful nuclear detonation early last month, though it has not carried out any major weapons tests in recent weeks. (Yonhap)