China: Little progress on N. Korea talks
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-09 01:00

"All the six parties have in their real actions shown to the outside world that they are conducting the fifth round of talks on time and that they are sincere in implementing the joint statement," Qin said. "This represents a political will that they are sincere in pushing forward the ultimate goal of the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

"That in itself is a sign of success."

South Korea's envoy, Deputy Foreign Minister Song Min-soon, said the current session was unlikely to result in an agreement but rather would be focused on the preliminary work necessary to get an implementation agreement in the next phase.

Japan's chief envoy, Kenichiro Sasae, suggested Wednesday that delegates set up two working groups, one to address North Korea's nuclear dismantlement and verification, and another to discuss economic and energy aid to Pyongyang, the Kyodo news agency reported.

Song said he believed it was too early to set up working groups before a basic framework for progress was in place.

Tensions between the United States and North Korea have risen after the North on Tuesday condemned President Bush for calling its leader a "tyrant," saying the criticism raised doubts about the prospect of the six-nation talks.