A senior North Korean diplomat, who served as Pyongyang's chief nuclear negotiator, visited Beijing Tuesday for talks with China's nuclear envoy, a source here said.
It was the first time that First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan has traveled to China since his promotion last month from vice foreign minister. For years, Kim served as Pyongyang's lead negotiator in six-nation talks on ending the country's nuclear programs.
It was unclear whether Kim will still work as the country's chief nuclear envoy, but the widespread view is that Ri Yong-ho, a veteran diplomat who was promoted as vice foreign minister last month, will succeed Kim.
In Beijing, Kim is expected to meet with China's nuclear negotiator Wu Dawei, the source said on condition of anonymity. Further details of his Chinese trip were not made immediately available.
The nuclear talks, involving the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States, have been stalled since the last session in December 2008 due to a North Korean boycott. Prospects for reopening the process have diminished in the wake of March's sinking of a South Korean warship blamed on Pyongyang.
Pyongyang has indicated its willingness to return to the negotiating table in recent months, but Seoul and Washington have urged the North to take responsibility for the ship sinking and prove through action that it is serious about abandoning its nuclear weapons.