North Korea should first dismantle its nuclear weapon and program before considering the peaceful use of nuclear energy, an official from South Korea said in Beijing Wednesday.

Song Min-soon, head of the South Korean delegation to the fourth round of six-party talks of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, made such remarks after a luncheon with his US counterpart Christopher Hill. Song said it is too early to talk about the details of the concept of peaceful use of nuclear energy by North Korea.

"When North Korea completes the dismantlement of its nuclear weapon and program, they can have their right to peacefully use nuclear energy," Song said.

Upon arrival in Beijing Tuesday morning, the South Korean delegation held one-on-one consultations with the delegations of China and North Korea.

The South and North Korean delegations exchanged views on various issues including that of the light-water reactor, which would be the "focus" of the ongoing phase of the talks, said Song Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2005)