S. Korea Pessimistic About Nuke Talks

A South Korean official said Sunday he does not expect a breakthrough leading to the resumption of six-nation negotiations on ending North Korea's nuclear weapons program during a Tokyo security conference this week.

South Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister Chun Young-woo told reporters that he did not sense any change in the North's position during his meeting Saturday with North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan.

"I didn't find a situation in which I have expectations and hope," Chun said. "Unofficial meetings in this place help to understand each other's positions, but this is not a conference where a breakthrough can be found."

Officials involved in the six-nation talks are gathering in Tokyo to attend a private security conference that starts Monday.

Though ostensibly here for the conference, the gathering of top officials has raised hopes that they will be able to find common ground on which to relaunch the stalled nuclear talks.

Last September, the North agreed in the six-party talks to abandon its nuclear program in exchange for aid and security guarantees. Since then, however, no progress has been made on implementing the accord.

The last round of talks - which include the two Koreas, Japan, China, the United States and Russia - broke down in November, with no date set for a new round.