South Korean Foreign Minister Yoon Young-kwan said Wednesday that "meaningful" progress has been made to narrow differences among concerned parties during the preparatory meetings for another round of six-party nuclear talks.  

Yoon Young-kwan made the remarks during a regular briefing in Seoul, said South Korean Yonhap News Agency.

"Preparatory talks served as an opportunity for concerned countries to understand each other's position more clearly," Yoon said. "We've made efforts to narrow outstanding gaps and there have been 'meaningful' progress in such efforts." But the minister did not elaborate details of the progress.

He also acknowledged that it is practically impossible to reopen the nuclear talks within the year, but stressed that it does not necessarily mean that chances of resolving the crisis have diminished.

"I think we don't have to become optimistic or pessimistic just because (a second round of nuclear talks) is not going to be held within December," said Yoon.

Yoon said South Korea and other concerned countries will put in a lot of diplomatic efforts to convene a second round of talks as early as possible.

"All (involved) countries, not only the United States, but also the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as well, share a consensus on the need for a second round of talks," Yoon said. "We don't have to hold a dark prospect for resolution through six-party talks."

In August, China, the DPRK, the United States, Russia, South Korea and Japan held the first found of nuclear talks in Beijing. And all the involved countries recently intensified diplomatic activities to make the second round of such talks as early as possible.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2003)