The six-party talks are conducive to resolving all issues in the Korean Peninsula, said Lee Soo-Hyuck, head of the delegation of the Republic of Korea (ROK), in Beijing Friday evening.

Lee, also the ROK's deputy minister of foreign affairs and trade, said at a press briefing that the talks are helpful for resolving the nuclear issue and safeguarding security in northeast Asia.

This round of talks is another step forward toward resolving the nuclear issue, which is a long-term process, Lee said.

The six parties held a plenary session and consultations between the delegation heads Friday starting from the morning, Lee said, adding that the deputy heads of the six delegations are still in consultations on related issues including the joint document.

Lee said the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United States, the ROK and Japan consulted for a long time on the document's wording and relevant principles as the nuclear issue was complicated and sensitive.

All sides also expressed their opinions on how to make the talks regular, and were seeking for the most reasonable and appropriate means to solve this issue, Lee said.

Lee said the specific date of the next round of talks is difficult to confirm.

The six parties will try to wrap up the talks Saturday, and the ROK delegation is preparing to leave here on Sunday, Lee said.

The talks, attended by China, the DPRK, the United States, the ROK, Russia and Japan, opened here Wednesday morning.

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2004)