A senior U.S. official says China has agreed to press North Korea to return to six-party talks on its nuclear weapons program.
The official says the Chinese government signalled it would use its influence with Pyongyang to resume the talks as soon as possible.
After meeting with Chinese officials in Beijing, Secretary of State Colin Powell Monday praised China for organizing the six-party talks. He said the two countries remain committed to restarting the negotiations with North Korea as soon as possible.
Mr. Powell has been trying to forge a multi-lateral strategy to get Pyongyang back to the nuclear weapons talks it boycotted in September
Now in Seoul, Mr. Powell meets with South Korean officials Tuesday on the last stop of his three-nation trip.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.