The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has been earnest and serious since the very beginning of the six-party talks on the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula, Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi told Xinhua Tuesday.  

Wang, also head of the Chinese delegation to the second round of the six-party talks, made the remark immediately after holding consultations with DPRK Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse Tuesday morning.

The DPRK named Kim Kye-gwan as the head of the DPRK delegation to the second round of the talks, replacing the former head of the delegation to the first round of talks held in Beijing last August.

Wang said the change of the heads of the DPRK delegation had drawn wide attention of the international community, who believe that the DPRK holds an earnest and serious attitude toward the six-party talks.

He said no matter who is the head of the delegation, the DPRK will take a serious and responsible attitude toward the talks.

(Xinhua News Agency February 24, 2004)