The first working group meeting of the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue continued here Thursday, and the duration of the meeting remains open, according to reliable sources.

The envoys from China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United States, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Russia and Japan gathered Wednesday morning in Beijing's DiaoyutaiState Guesthouse, the venue for the previous two rounds of six-party talks.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the participants have conducted conducive and in-depth discussions on the concerns of various sides during the working-level closed-door session.

Ning Fukui, Chinese ambassador on Korean Peninsula affairs, headed the Chinese delegation and chaired the session.

It was reported that all the parties regard this meeting as an important step toward resolving the issue, and will exchange viewson various topics.

The parties agreed to set up a working group and convene the third round of six-party talks before the end of June during the second round of talks held in February in the Chinese capital.

Source: Xinhua