Fourth Round of Six-Party Talks

After Foreign Ministry Assistant Secretary Song Min Soon, the top North Korean negotiator to the six-party talks to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, visited China on January 9, the chief U.S. envoy to the talks and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill announced a visit to China on January 12. Because North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is also staying in China, their visits are drawing attention. Two diplomats are heading for Beijing at Incheon International Airport last year before the fourth round of six-party talks.