Representatives of the Republic of Korea (ROK), the United States and Japan held informal consultations Sunday evening in Seoul over the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).  

The closed-door informal meeting was held three days before the opening of the second round six-way nuclear talks, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Before the meeting, ROK Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Soo-hyuck said Seoul will make efforts to ensure the second round talks to bear fruit by fully exchanging opinions with all parties concerned, said Yonhap. 

US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs James Kelly and Mitoji Yabunaka, director general of the Asia and Oceania Department of Japan's Foreign Ministry joined in Sunday's informal consultations.

But no details of the behind-the-scenes talks were available.

Kelly and Yabunaka arrived here earlier Sunday and attended a banquet hosted by Lee Soo-hyuck. The three officials will also head negotiators of their countries in the six-party talks.

The three countries will hold formal meeting next Monday over the DPRK nuclear issue.

The new round six-nation nuclear talks, due to kick off on Feb.25 in Beijing, will be attended by China, the DPRK, the US, Russia, the ROK and Japan. The first round was held in last August, also in the Chinese capital city.

(Xinhua News Agency February 23, 2004)