The six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue will resume on July 26, South Korean Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday. 

North Korea agreed earlier this month to return to the talks, after being assured by the top US nuclear envoy that Washington recognized its sovereignty. South Korean Foreign Ministry said yesterday the talks would convene next week but gave no closing date.

In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kong Quan yesterday also confirmed the date of the talks.

Pyongyang announced to return to the six-party talks on July 9, after a meeting in Beijing between the top US and North Korean envoys to the talks.

South Korea plans to "play a progressive and active role in making substantial progress at this round of six-party talks for resolution of the nuclear issue," South Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Earlier this week, North Korea said it and the US should agree to coexist and respect each other at the renewed nuclear talks.

In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said yesterday that Japan is still committed to normalizing diplomatic relations with Pyongyang.

Russia's Foreign Ministry yesterday applauded North Korea's decision to return to the talks and said it hopes the negotiations will move forward.

"The Russian side welcomes this decision and expresses the hope that the upcoming meeting in Beijing will bring visible progress," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Alexander Yakovenko was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun also said on Monday that the US "has the final key" to a solution at the talks.

The US has said it would offer diplomatic recognition and trade to North Korea only after international inspectors verify it has completely dismantled its nuclear program.

(China Daily July 20, 2005)