South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon Sunday expressed hope that the new round six-way talks on nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) would take place this month.

"The DPRK had offered to hold new talks in early January. I think there is a possibility six-party talks could be convened within February in view of various political situations," Ban said in an interview with the Yonhap News Agency.

However, Ban also said that at the current stage it is not appropriate for the DPRK to demand the US make a series of concessions as a precondition for the abolishment of its atomic weapons program.

The DPRK said in January that it will suspend its nuclear programs as a first step if the US lifts sanctions, resumes oil shipments and removes Pyongyang from its list of terrorism-sponsoring countries. But Washington has demanded Pyongyang verifiably dismantle its nuclear programs before any concessions.

"The DPRK should pledge that it will dismantle all of its nuclear programs, including high enrichment of uranium, completely, verifiably and irreversibly," Ban said.

"A nuclear freeze is the first step in a nuclear dismantlement. A verification means an inspection so nuclear inspections should follow," he said.

China, the DPRK, the US, Russia, South Korea and Japan held the first round nuclear talks in Beijing last August. The concerning parties have made a lot of efforts to resume such talks as early as possible.

On Sunday, US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly came to Seoul for consultations with South Korean officials on the nuclear issue.

(Xinhua News Agency February 1, 2004)