South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Song Min-soon, head of the South Korean delegation, arrived in Beijing Saturday morning to attend the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue scheduled to open on Tuesday.  

"During the upcoming talks, we will make every effort to lay a foundation for solving the nuclear issue," Song said at the Capital Airport in Beijing. He came here accompanied by some South Korean delegation members. Other members of the delegation are expected to arrive Sunday.

The North Korean delegation arrived in Beijing Friday afternoon. The US delegation is expected to arrive Sunday, and the delegations of Japan and Russia will come Monday.

It is reported that South Korea promised to play an active role in the new round of talks and closely cooperate with other participants to seek substantial progress.

(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2005)